Government hears new requests for lower Internet prices
Charity Komujjurizi from the Africa Freedom of Information Centre discussed the challenge of expensive Internet in Uganda hindering information access. The government promised to halve Internet costs by August 2023, aiming to reduce prices from $70 to $35 per MBPS. The call was made to abolish restrictions on social media and enhance transparency in government procurement.
On September 28, 2023, Africa Freedom of Information Centre coordinator Charity Komujjurizi remarked in a speech to journalists at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala that the high cost of Internet connectivity made it challenging for Ugandans to access information.
However, the government said the cost of Internet access would be cut in half by the beginning of August 2023. The National Information Technology Authority (NITA) reports that prices decreased from $70 to $35 per MBPS.
The cost of data has yet to consider the Internet’s trickle-down effect on the final user.
The government has also been requested by the Africa Freedom of Information Centre to abolish all restrictions on using and accessing social media sites.
“Lower the cost of doing business by reducing the cost of data, extend Internet services to all districts and sub-counties across the country, allow social media platforms to operate freely and reduce taxes on social media platforms,” Komujjurizi said.
The government should be open in ensuring the disclosure of government procurement possibilities by all ministries, departments, and agencies, according to Komujjurizi, as the world observes International Right to Know Day.
On October 15, 2019, the 74th UN General Assembly proclaimed the second Sunday in September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
The Ugandan Parliament needs to mandate that all ministries follow section 43 of the Access to Information Act’s annual reporting requirements. Budget must be set aside for the implementation of the Access to Information Act across all ministries and departments, according to Komujjurizi.
Each ministry is required under Section 43 of the Access to Information Act to report to Parliament on how the Act has been implemented and any instances in which information has been withheld to explain the circumstances for such denial.
