SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: Target 16.10

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1 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: Target Ensure Public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with legislation and international agreements: Experience from Uganda By Peter Opio UGANDA Expert Meeting on Measuring SDG 16, Targets on Peace, Inclusion and Freedom Oslo, Norway, January 2016

2 Existing Laws in Uganda A) 1995 Constitution of Uganda - According to Article 41, every citizen has a right of access to information and records in the possession of the state except where the information is likely to prejudice the security of the state.

3 Existing Laws in Uganda, Con d 2005 Access to Information Act- The act applies to all information and records of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, unless specifically exempted by the Act. The Government of Uganda, under the Act, designated the Minister in charge of Information to manage implementation activities. The Directorate of Information and National Guidance, in the Office of the Prime Minister is the lead agency spearheading this task under the supervision of the Minister of Information and National Guidance.

4 Existing Laws in Uganda, Con d Uganda is party to several binding and non binding International and Regional Treaties and Declarations that advance the Right of Access to Information. These include among others: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), International Covenant on Civil Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and People s Rights (ACHPR)

5 Key Data Sources and Indicators for Target Data Sources: 1. National Service Delivery Survey (NSDS); 2000, 2004, National Governance Baseline Survey (NGBS); Administrative Data

6 1. National Service Delivery Survey (NSDS) The Government of Uganda is obligated to provide services to its citizens, therefore its important for the public service to monitor and evaluate the delivery of these services. The overall objective of this survey is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the trends in service delivery for all sectors. The NSDS is conducted every four years and has been integrated in the long-term Census and Survey Plan of the National Statistical System.

7 Relevant NSDS Indicators Access to public information assessment focused on key indicators, including: Knowledge of institutions for Arbitration or Conflict Resolution. Access and use of Administrative and Legal services Quality and satisfaction with administrative and legal services.

8 and accountability. 2. National Governance Baseline Survey (NGBS), 2014 The survey was the first of its kind in Uganda and provides a benchmark for Indicators on Governance in the National Development Plan. The survey aimed at generating baseline data for compilation of governance indicators in Uganda. The sub themes of this survey on governance included, human rights, access to Justice, access to information, democracy, political representation and participation as well as transparency

9 Relevant NGBS Indicators Access to Justice Awareness of Justice institutions Public confidence and trust in the formal justice institutions Access to legal aid services Awareness about the right to access information Public rating for the quality of information provided by the government and Public sector Sources of Information Freedom of the media in a Democratic society

10 3. Administrative Data Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Courts of Law Uganda Police Force Crime detection and Prevention Uganda Prisons Services Correctional Services and Remand Office of the Prime Minister Disasters, Settlements and Refugees.

11 Experiences/Lessons Learnt The NSDS and NGBS provide information that has increased public scrutiny of the public sector. Despite the need for such information, priority is on generation of socio-economic indicators on well-being (Case for MDGs) and Macro-economic indicators on the health of the economy.

12 Experiences/Lessons Learnt Disaggregation where relevant by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability and geographic location or other characteristics in accordance with the fundamental principles of official statistics is difficult given the cost of the survey in relation to the resource envelope. Little attention has been given to Indicators that can be computed from administrative data.

13 Conclusion Access to information has the unquestionable effect of strengthening accountability. Knowledge is power and democracy depends on a knowledgeable citizenry whose access to a broad range of information enables them to participate fully in public life. Meaningful participation in democratic processes requires informed participants hence the need for increased access to information.

14 The Republic of Uganda