Public procurement plays a vital role in economic growth and development, as it provides opportunities for businesses to supply goods and services to the government.In Tanzania, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) in partnership with The Chanzo conducted a research study to understand...
Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) has welcomed a proposal by Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) to reserve 15% for special interest (women, youth and persons with disabilities groups in Uganda. This was revealed during a stakeholder consultative meeting organized by AFIC...
Africa Freedom of Information Centre(AFIC) had an opportunity to participate in the East African Business Expo from 4th to 7th May at UMA Grounds, Kampala, Uganda.The East African Business Expo is an annual event that brings together businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors from East Africa and...
TISA in collaboration with Women in Business (WIB) have launched women in business GROW Study at a women convening on 30th March 2023 at The Golden Tulip Hotel-Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.The meeting objective was to reflect on the significance of affirmative action in public procurement and...
Public access to information is at the heart of the work of the United Nations System. Whether it is fighting poverty and corruption, promoting health and well being, education for boys and girls, gender equality, conflict prevention and management or climate justice, access to information...
We are pleased to share our new report on the barriers and solutions to women’s participation in public procurement in Eastern Africa produced by Africa Freedom of Information Centre with our partners, The Open Contracting Partnership and The Institute for Social Accountability. Gender inequality is...
A recent regional study by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) indicates that Tanzania's public procurement scheme, introduced seven years ago, has yet to be implemented successfully, raising questions about the success of its intended objectives.As AFIC continues to work around transparency and accountability issues in...
Healthcare is a fundamental human right, and access to adequate healthcare services is critical for every community's well-being and development.Access to healthcare has long been a problem in Gulu, a bustling city in Northern Uganda. Despite efforts by the government and other organizations to enhance...
In 2022, Africa Freedom of Information Centre did a procurement data study in the five countries of Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, and Nigeria, and the results revealed a direct association between disclosure, contract supplies, and service delivery.According to Charity Komujjurizi, the project's lead, the study...
Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) initiated a community dialogue on access to information on April 26th, 2023 at Cwero, Paicho Sub-county, Gulu district in its efforts to develop citizens' capacities to seek and use public information.[caption id="attachment_22191" align="alignnone" width="315"] Community dialogue hosted by AFIC...
On April 26th, 2023, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre held an engagement meeting with district officials, municipal councils, and stakeholders in Gulu district at the Dove hotel in Gulu city.The purpose of the conference was to examine the results of data analysis on procurement...
The electoral processes in Africa have largely been characterized by lack of transparency and accountability with citizens not being informed on key issues such as the appointment of members of election management bodies, registration of voters, nomination of candidates and conduct of campaigns, polling dates...
Government procurement is the biggest public market in the world. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries spend an average of 12% of annual GDP procuring goods, works, and services while Low and Middle-Income countries spend an even greater proportion on such...
The quality of citizen feedback has a significant role in determining the quality of integrity in public procurement. Under the Hewlett Foundation-funded project, From Disclosure to Impact: Deepening and Broadening Open Contracting in Africa, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) works to ensure quality...
The IDUAI 2021 Continental Youth Essay Competition is intended to facilitate youth awareness and participation of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 years in the adoption and implementation of the Access to Information Laws in Eastern Africa.As part of the 2021 IDUAI...
Over 200 participants representing Inter-Governmental organizations, Government, Private Sector, Civil Society Organisations, the Media, and the UN system gathered online and in person at the Kampala Serena Hotel, Uganda, for a public dialogue to commemorate the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) 2021....
UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and its partners, joined the rest of the world to commemorate 28th September, the 2021 International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) under the theme, The Right to Know: Building Back Better with Access to Information.”The regional dialogue,...
The study by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) attributed this finding to lack of technical expertise and small financial muscle to supply the systems. The study investigated the procurement and deployment of (DTS) in Liberia, Uganda and Nigeria.The main DTSs Uganda has invested...
African governments are embracing the procurement of digital technology systems and the opportunities they present. The digital technology systems most African governments are adopting have the potential to transform governance and public services. Digital systems can increase access to government services, improve the quality of...
To support citizens’ right to information (right to know) concerning the procurement and governance of DTS, AFIC in partnership with CEMESP and PPDC, with support from the Omidyar Network conducted a pilot study on “Government Procurement of Digital Technology Systems (DTSs) in Africa”.This study attempted...
This article is part of a pilot study which investigated the procurement and deployment of Digital Technology Systems in Liberia, Uganda and Nigeria, conducted by Africa Freedom of Information Centre in partnership with CEMESP and PPDC with support from Omidyar Network.Digital technology systems are increasingly...
The Eighth General Meeting of the African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX), a network of African freedom of expression and media development organisations which are members of the global press freedom advocacy network, IFEX, was held in Accra, Ghana, from 25 to 26 June 2021.The...
In the last few weeks, countless protests against police brutality, corruption and for democratic reforms have spread throughout Eswatini. After the mysterious murder of a young student, Thabani Nkomonye at the hands of police, many took to the streets, calling for justice and investigations into...
The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) implemented a GPSA funded project, ‘Enhancing Performance and Accountability of Social Service Contracts in Uganda’ " to enhance to enhance transparency and accountability of public contracting in the agriculture, education and health sectors through support to meaningful engagement...
Digital rights featured prominently at the 68th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), held virtually from 14 April to 4 May 2021. The session also provided a platform to take stock of the general state of the human rights situation on the...
The African Platform on Access to Information (2011), adopted a decade ago by a group of leading African media and information stakeholders, recognizes access to information as a fundamental human right. Since endorsed by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (2019) and the...
Recent decisions on regarding one of social media's well-known users, former US President Donald Trump, have ignited a broad, global debate on Big Tech's role in controlling content. With the public space having moved online- it's where we live, learn, work and protest- there's a...
In an increasingly competitive and unstable global environment, procurement strategies and project management practices are undergoing continuous changes. These changes result in a reduction in efficiency, increase in costs and risk exposure; the need for public integrity in public procurement.While at the recently concluded 13th...
Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) is pleased to join over 90 other organisations and individuals in endorsing a letter in solidarity with Ivan Pavlov, a Russian human rights activist and lawyer who has been criminally charged with disclosing data of a preliminary investigation which...
Twaweza Uganda and Africa Freedom of Information Centre, in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance have today the 6th of May 2021, officially launched the Access to Information Guide for Civil Servants. The Minister for State for ICT and National Guidance, Hon....
Annually, African governments spend over 60% of national budget through public contracting while over 70% of Malawi Governments’ annual budget is spent through public procurement (Hivos report). Women-owned enterprises win less than 1% of contracts. However, over the last decade, governments and multilateral development organizations...
The World Bank (2020) estimates that public procurement accounts for between 13-20% of global GPD every year, amounting to a staggering USD 9.5 trillion . Public procurement thus represents an unprecedented opportunity to boost local economies and drive development and growth.Unlocking this potential, however, is...
As we countdown to 12th August 2021 when Zambia will hold general elections to elect the Republican President, Members of Parliament, Councilors, Council Chairperson and Mayors, the media must intensify its public education efforts to inform and influence citizens participation in the electoral process.The preamble...
In August 2019, Africa Freedom of Information Centre conducted a contracts monitoring of selected districts for FY2018/19, and it was observed that strengthening the performance of public contracts at local government in Uganda will be an important factor for ensuring that both the government and...
PANOS Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) has called for the reformation or abolition of restrictive laws that are limiting citizens’ use of the media and other platforms to seek, share and receive information as a public good in a manner that will enable them to participate...
Gambia Press Union Statement on World Press Freedom Day3rd May 2021This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, which was developed by African journalists pressing for a free, independent, and pluralistic African press. This is the declaration that gave birth to the commemoration...
If you rely solely on digital footprints, you might not be aware of Zoe Titus's extensive contribution to the media rights landscape on the African continent over two decades. For Titus, her work has always been about getting the work done, often behind the scenes “Never,...
Lusaka, Zambia30 April 2021.Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) urges governments in the region to put in place the necessary legal and policy interventions to actualize the realization of press freedom in their countries, to allow the media to effectively play its role of facilitating...
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION DURING THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY CONFERENCE IN SOUTH SUDAN Hon Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information, Communication, Technology and Postal Services; Hon. Paulino Lokudu, Minister of Information , Central Equatoria Your Excellency Larry E Andre, Jr USA Ambassador to South Sudan Your Excellency Jonny Baxter, British...
Every 3rd May, the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) is commemorated worldwide, to strengthen the call for media freedom and to uphold the commitment to a free press as an absolute cornerstone of democratic society. This year's theme, Information as a Public Good, is a...
The recent developments highlighting the need for greater online platform transparency have prompted many businesses to consider implementing this measure into their respective structures. However, one must remember that without appropriate measures to ensure the same, such measures may do more harm than good. For...
PRESS STATEMENT ON AFIC’S 2021 – 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN24TH MARCH 2021The Governing Council and Members of the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) are today 24th March 2021 pleased to launch our new strategic plan themed, “Access to Information: The Bridge to Sustainable Development”. The...
25 African countries have adopted Access to Information (ATI) laws while 30 are yet to do so. Through multiple treaties, the African Union recognizes the right of ATI by every individual, as a human and peoples’ right, and also as a tool for the promotion...
Ruth Namara ,Bo Rosenfelt Clausen and Gilbert Sendugwa| 17th February 2021 Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) was a grant awardee in the latest round of research under the Feminist Open Government Initiative, a program led by Results for Development (R4D) and the Open Government Partnership (OGP) with support from Canada’s International Development Research...
Remarks from the Senior Regional Manager, Africa Dear Stakeholders, Colleagues and Friends of CoST - the Infrastructure Transparency InitiativeI am very happy to see you all here and to welcome you to the launch of the CoST Uganda’s 4th Assurance Report.CoST Uganda is among...
AFIC conducted the second contracts monitoring process follows the first one that accessed contracts in Kabale, Kanungu, Ntungamo, Mbarara, Pakwach, and Nebbi districts for the FY 2018/19. The process was aimed at assessing the implementation of the recommendations and commitments made by the stakeholders of...
Access to information empowers the electorate to be well informed about political processes with due regard to their best interests: to elect political office holders; to participate in decision-making processes on the implementation of laws and policies; and to hold public officials accountable for their...
We are pleased to share our new strategic plan themed, "Access to Information: The Bridge to Sustainable Development". The strategic plan is informed by the collective lessons from our members and Secretariat as well as the current contexts of right to information, transparency and accountability...
Uganda’s health sector disclosure improving but still low, losing billions Ugandan health authorities have improved their disclosure of public health contracts this year following a report by open contracting advocates from civil society drawing attention to the issue, as well as training conducted with civil servants...
PRESS RELEASE Launch of Right of Access to Information, Open Governance and Accountability Training in AfricaArusha & Kampala.October 7, 2020.The MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS TCDC) and Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding that...
On Thursday, 2nd July 2020, 13 Petitioners filed an urgent case against various several government officials in the High Court in Nairobi for failure on their part to provide information sought from them in accordance to Article 35 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and the Access...
On the 29th of September 2020, the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) revealed the results of the 2020 Open State Government Ranking.The ranking aims to encourage states to increase citizens' participation in governance through publication of government held data and and information.The Open State...
As we continue reflecting on the International Day for Universal Access to Information, Africa Freedom of Information Centre, with support from the Democratic Governance Facility had a students' debate which was jointly organized in partnership with Open Space Centre, on issues of accountability and access...
The right to access to information in Uganda has been curtailed due to deficient implementation of the Access to Information Law Enacted in Uganda almost 16-years ago.As the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) marks the 2020 International Day for Universal Access to Information...
Every year on 28 September, the world commemorates the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). This Day was initially proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference in 2015, following the adoption of the 38 C/Resolution 57 that declared 28 September of every year as the International Day for Universal...
As the country joins the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Access to Information, Civil Society Organizations (CSO) have asked ministries, departments and agencies to disclose public information on Covid-19 as a way to enforce the law.In an interview with the Daily...
In her remarks, Ms. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, the UNESCO Director for Multi-Sectoral Office and Regional Representative for East Africa, highlighted that the commemoration of IDUAI 2020 is anchored within the framework of the right to access in times of crisis and highlights the advantages of...
As we commemorate the first International Day for Universal Access to Information today, September 28, 2020, I reflect back to 2010 when Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) and its African Platform on Access to Information Partners started a campaign for such a day.We were inspired to start the...
Remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator and Designated Official for Security, H.E. Rosa MalangoVenue: Kampala Serena Conference CentreDate: 28 September 2020Acknowledgements:Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of UgandaHon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Principal Judge of UgandaMs. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director UNESCO Regional Office, Eastern...
September 28, 2020, Kampala Rt. Hon Jacob Oulanyah, Deputy Speaker, Parliament of UgandaHon. Justice Dr. Flavian Zeija, Principal Judge of UgandaH.E Rosa Malango, UN Resident CoordinatorHon. Members of Parliament,Ms. Ann Therese Ndong-Jatta, Director of UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern AfricaHon. Jamesina Essie L. King, Africa...