Kadaga tasks minister on report of access to information

By Francis Emorut                                                     

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has tasked the information minister Rose Namayanja to report on the implementation of Information Act 2005.

Kadaga is eager to receive a report so as to share with the public its implementation process and how the minister has facilitated the public to access information.

"I want to remind the minister of information that you have a duty to report to us about access of information by the public according to Information Act 2005. How many attempts have been made by the public to access information?" Kadaga asked.

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and information minister Rose Namayanja on affrival for Government communications officers forum networking dinner at Sheraton Hotel in Kampala on Feb 20, 2015. Photo by Francis Emorut

"How many attempts have you responded to and how many have been rejected?"

Kadaga was speaking during the Government Communications Officers Forum (GCOF) networking dinner at Kampala Sheraton Hotel on Friday.

"Bring the report so that we share with the public how you are implementing the law," Kadaga stated.

She also warned that the Government Media Centre should not be exclusively for government ministries and agencies but the Legislature and Judiciary should air their views at the Centre.

"I want to see more process of Judiciary and Legislature. Make it comprehensively government and not the face of executive," she said.

"I have never been invited to the Media Centre to speak from there. Make it face of government and not face of executive."

She noted that there is a tendency of some media houses to misrepresent information instead of propagating correct information.

The Speaker urged government communication officers to contact Parliament for any vital information in the course of their duty.

The state minister of public service, Sezi Mbaguta, informed government's spokespersons' that her ministry is in the process of reviewing government standing order to facilitate smooth flow of information.

The minister said government information structures are also to be restructured into communications units and elevated to directorates in line with the Presidential directive in achieving the National Development Plan (NDP).

The information minister, Rose Namayanja confirmed that her ministry is working together with that of public service to review Government Standing Order to match the emerging communication dynamics globally.