Though Uganda has the Access to Information Act, 2005, its operationalisation has been delayed. Section 39 of the Access to Information Act 2005, provides that the rules committee shall within six months after the enactment of the Act make rules of procedure to regulate the procedure made under the same Act. The same section goes on to say that these rules of procedure will regulate the procedures. However, the regulations have never been made, delaying the effective operationalisation of the law.

This Act is meant to promote an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable Government; it gives effect to Article 41 of the constitution by providing the right to access to information held by organs of the state, other than exempt records and information; protect persons disclosing evidence of contravention of law, maladministration or corruption in government bodies; promote transparency and accountability in all organs of the state by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information; and, empower the public to effectively scrutinize and participate in government decisions that affect them. The absence of regulations greatly abuses the protection and promotion of the Right to access information. This has indeed affected the media greatly who as the whistle blowers in the absence of any other law that directly protects them.

The Act also contradicts the Official Secret Act making it difficult to successfully be implemented and the purpose realized. The petition sought the indulgence of Members of Parliament to resolve: that a committee of parliament be constituted to look into the grievances behind the delay of the Regulations to operationalize the Act; that Parliament monitors and expedites the completion, promulgation and popularization of the Access to Information Act and implementation of the action plan; that Parliament monitor the actions and practices of agencies of government that interfere with the work of the Media e.g. the police, the army especially in Gulu and other security agencies; that Parliament reviews and amends the relevant laws to hold individuals in government (public servants) personally liable for obstructing or denying Access to Information permissible under ATIA ; that Parliament lobby for the official recognition of the international Right to Know day – 28th September ; and that Parliament demands status reports from ministries on the progress of implementation of the Access to Information Act.

The state must stop violations of media freedoms and human rights
Following events of Human right violations in the month of April and May, Uganda has witnessed government affront on the media in Uganda or designs by the state to muzzle the media. With great concern HURINET- U, a network of different human rights organizations in Uganda, is in utter disbelief that the state has blatantly continued to disregard calls by different players to respect, protect and promote the Bill of rights especially the media freedoms which are now facing increased threat. With the recent developments including the attack on the independent Magazine by CMI are very disturbing.

Journalist Andrew Mwenda of the Independent Newspaper was arrested and had his home and work premises ransacked. He was arrested together with two work colleagues and later released on bond over allegations that he had run seditious stories in the Independent Magazine. The attacks constitute grave and worrisome state interference with the media in Uganda and a breach of the fundamental and basic Rights and freedoms which are universal, interdependent and inalienable.
Numerous reports have presented that the state was orchestrating further clamp down on the media houses and journalists which is not therefore of immense concern to HURINET-Uganda and the Human rights fraternity.

HR organizations call on the Government to respect human rights
In a press statement issued on 28th September, Human rights organizations are opposed to any structure and policies on the part of the state which are directed at stifling the independent and free media. They also demanded that Media practitioners and agencies deserve to operate independently in a conducive environment supported by the state as laid down in the National, Regional and International instruments that Uganda has ratified.

During the celebrations to mark the International right to know day, CSO reminded the government that: The media deals with important issues affecting the country and it is one avenue where government is subjected to public scrutiny and accounts to the people. Freedom of expression is a key prerequisite of a democracy and the state is expected to ensure that it prevails; the ongoing onslaught on the media affects its professionalism as it demands media publications to conform to regime interest as opposed to truthful reporting; and that matters of state security are of concern to every one and therefore it is the duty of the press to expose any weaknesses in them so that the organs of the state can improve.

Civil society pressures Government on media rights
Civil society organizations pressure Government: to recognize and respect its duties and obligations imposed upon it by Article 20(2) (i) of the Constitution: that provides for the rights and freedoms of the individual and groups to be respected, upheld and promoted by all groups and agencies of government; to respect the human rights of all individuals and groups as provided for in the International Human Rights instruments that Uganda has ratified; to respect freedom of speech and expression which include freedom of press and other media: to repeal the media laws that are inconsistent with International Instruments and Obligations; to respect the autonomy of the media practitioners and institutions as these forms the basis of an open society which is pertinent in fostering a democratic society; and for Government to allow open criticism of inadequate policies as a way of allowing appropriate policy review, development and implementation.