ACTS

SUPPLEMENT No. 4

ACTS SUPPLEMENT

to The Uganda Gazette No. 42 Volume XCVIII dated 19th July, 2005.
Printed by UPPC, Entebbe, by Order of the Government.

Act 6

Section
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19th July, 2005.

Access to Information Act

THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005.

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS.
PART IPRELIMINARY.

Short title and commencement.

Application.
Purpose of Act.
Interpretation.

PART IIACCESS TO RECORDS AND INFORMATION.

Right of access.
Access to information and records.
Manual of functions and index of records of public body.
Disclosure and automatic availability of certain records.
Information in directory.
Information officers.
Form of request.
Duty to assist persons.
Transfer of request.
Records that cannot be found or do not exist.
Deferral of access.
Decision on request and notice.
Extension of period to deal with request.
Deemed refusal of request.
Severability.
Access and forms of access.
Access to health or other records.
Preservation of records.

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Access to Information Act

PART IIIEXEMPTION FROM ACCESS

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Interpretation.
Access subject to conditions.
Cabinet Minutes and those of its Committees.
Protection of information relating to privacy of the person.
Protection of commercial information of third party.
Protection of certain confidential information.
Protection of safety of persons and property.
Protection of law enforcement and legal proceedings.
Protection of records privileged from production in legal proceedings.
Defence, security and international relations.
Operations of public bodies.
Mandatory disclosure in public interest.
PART IVTHIRD PARTY INTERVENTION.

35. Notice to third parties.

36. Representation by third party.

PART VCOMPLAINTS AND APPEALS.

37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.

Complaints to Chief Magistrate.

Appeal to court.
Procedure.
Disclosure of records by court.
Civil proceedings.
Decision of court.

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44.
45.
46.
47.
48.

Annual report.
Protection of persons releasing information
Protection of officers.
Offences.
Regulations.
Power of Minister to amend Schedule.

PART VIMISCELLANEOUS.

SCHEDULE

CURRENCY POINT.
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THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005.

An Act to provide for the right of access to information pursuant to

article 41 of the Constitution; to prescribe the classes of information
referred to in that article; the procedure for obtaining access to that
information, and for related matters.

DATE OF ASSENT: 7th July, 2005.

Date of Commencement: See section 1(2) and (3).

BE IT ENACTED by Parliament as follows:

1.

PART IPRELIMINARY.

Short title and commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the Access to Information Act, 2005.

(2) This Act shall come into force on a day to be appointed by the
Minister by statutory Instrument and different days may be appointed for the
commencement of different provisions.

(3) The Minister shall in any case ensure that the whole of this Act comes
into force within the current financial year.

2.

Application
(1) This Act applies to all information and records of Government
ministries, departments, local governments, statutory corporations and
bodies, commissions and other Government organs and agencies, unless
specifically exempted by this Act.
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(2) This Act does not apply to

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(a) Cabinet records and those of its committees;

(b) records of court proceedings before the conclusion of the case.

(3) Nothing in this Act detracts from the provisions of any other
written law giving a right of access to the record of a public body.
3. Purpose of Act
The purpose of this Act is

(a) to promote an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable

Government;
(b) to give 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;

(c) to protect persons disclosing evidence of contravention of the law,

maladministration or corruption in Government bodies;

(d) to promote transparency and accountability in all organs of the

State by providing the public with timely, accessible and
accurate information; and

(e) to empower the public to effectively scrutinise and participate in

Government decisions that affect them.

4. Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires

court means the Chief Magistrates Court or the High Court;

currency point means the value specified in relation to a currency

point in the Schedule;
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information includes written, visual, aural and electronic

information;

information officer means the Chief Executive of a public body;

manual means the manual of functions of, and index of records held
by a public body, compiled under section 7;
Minister means the minister to whom the functions of the Minister
under this Act have for the time being been assigned by the
President;

prescribed means prescribed by regulations made under section

47;
"privacy" means the right of a person to keep his or her matters and
relationships secret;

proprietary information means information relating to any

manufacturing process, trade secret, trademark, copyright,
patent or formula protected by law or by International Treaty to
which Uganda is a party;

public body includes a government ministry, department, statutory

corporation, authority or commission;

record means any recorded information, in any format, including an

electronic format in the possession or control of a public body,
whether or not that body created it;

relevant authority means the Minister responsible for that public

body or the person designated in writing by that Minister;

request for access means a request for access to a record of a public

body under section 11;
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Rules Committee means the Rules Committee established by

section 40 of the Judicature Act;
"security" means the protection of Uganda against threats such as
crime, criminals and attacks by foreign countries;
"sovereignty" means the supremacy of the State;

third party in relation to a request for access, means any person,

including but not limited, to the government of a foreign state,
an international organisation or an organ of that government or
organisation, other than
(a) the person requesting the record; and
(b) a public body.
5.

PART IIACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RECORDS.

Right of access
(1) Every citizen has a right of access to information and records in the
possession of the State or any public body, except where the release of the
information is likely to prejudice the security or sovereignty of the State or
interfere with the right to the privacy of any other person.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, information and records to which a

person is entitled to have access under this Act shall be accurate and up-todate so far as is practicable.
6. Access to information and records
A persons right of access is, subject to this Act, not affected by
(a) any reason the person gives for requesting access; or

(b) the information officers belief as to what the persons reasons are
for requesting access.
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7. Manual of functions and index of records of public body

(1) Within six months after the commencement of this section or the
coming into existence of a public body, the information officer of the public
body shall compile a manual containing
(a) a description of the public body and the functions of the public
body;

(b) the postal and street address, phone and fax number and electronic
mail address of the information officer of the body and of every
deputy information officer;

(c) the address of the established office of the public body at which the
public may make requests and obtain information;

(d) sufficient detail, including the nature of all formal and informal
procedures available to facilitate a request for access;
(e) a description of the subjects on which the body holds records and
the categories of records held on each subject;

(f) the most recent notice published under section 8, if any, regarding
the categories of records of the body which are available without
a person having to request access under this Act;

(g) a description of the services available to members of the public

from the body and how to gain access to those services;

(h) a description of any arrangement or provision for a person by

consultation, making representations or otherwise, to participate
in or influence
(i) the formulation of policy; or

(ii) the exercise of the powers or performance of duties, by the

body;
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(i) a description of all remedies available in respect of an act or a

failure to act by the body; and

(j) such other information as may be prescribed.

(2) A public body shall update and publish its manual at least once in
every two years.
(3) Each manual shall be made available as prescribed.

8. Disclosure and automatic availability of certain records

An information officer shall, once in every two years, publish a description
of

(a) the categories of records of the public body that are automatically
available without a person having to request access under this
Act, including the categories available
(i) for inspection under a written law other than this Act;
(ii) for purchase or copying from the public body; and

(iii) from the public body free of charge; and

(b) how to obtain access to those records.

9. Information in directory
The Minister shall ensure the publication in every directory issued for
general use by the public, of the postal and street address, phone and fax
number and electronic mail address of the information officer of every
public body.

10. Information officers

For the purposes of this Act, the Chief Executive of each public body shall
be responsible for ensuring that records of the public body are accessible
under this Act.
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11. Form of request

(1) A request for access to a record or information shall be in writing
in the prescribed form to the information officer of the public body in
control of the record or information required and shall provide sufficient
details to enable an experienced employee of the public body to identify the
record or information.
(2) The form for a request of access prescribed under subsection (1)
shall require the person requesting access

(a) to provide sufficient particulars to enable the information officer to

identify
(i) the record or records requested; and

(ii) the person requesting the information;

(b) to indicate which applicable form of access referred to in section

20(2) is required;
(c) to specify the address of the person requesting the information; and

(d) if the request is made on behalf of a person, to state the capacity in

which the person requesting the information is making the
request.

(3) A person who, because of illiteracy or disability is unable to make

a request for access in accordance with subsection (1) may make that
request orally.

(4) The information officer of a public body to whom an oral request

is made under subsection (3) shall reduce the request to writing in the
prescribed form and shall provide a copy of the written request to the
person requesting access.
12. Duty to assist persons
(1) Where a person informs the information officer
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(a) that he or she wishes to make a request for access to a record of the
public body of that information officer; or

(b) that he or she wishes to make a request for access to a record of

another public body, the information officer shall render such
reasonable assistance, free of charge, as is necessary to enable
that person to comply with section 11.

(2) Where a person makes a request for access that does not comply
with section 11, the information officer shall not refuse the request because
of that non-compliance unless the information officer has
(a) notified that person of an intention to refuse the request and stated
in the notice
(i) the reasons for the contemplated refusal; and

(ii) that the information officer or other official identified by the

information officer would assist that person in order to
make the request in a form that would remove the reasons
for refusal;

(b) given the person a reasonable opportunity to seek the assistance

referred to in paragraph (a)(ii);

(c) as far as reasonably possible, furnished the person requesting

access with any information, including information about the
records, other than information under Part III that would assist
the making of the request in that form; and
(d) given the person a reasonable opportunity to confirm the request or
to alter it to comply with section 11.

(3) When computing any period referred to in section 15(1), the period
commencing on the date on which notice is given under subsection (2) and
ending on the date on which the person confirms or alters the request for
access concerned shall be disregarded.
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(4) Where it is apparent, on receipt of a request for access, that the

request should have been made to another public body, the information
officer of the public body receiving the request shall(a) render any assistance necessary to enable the person requesting
access to make the request to the information officer of the
appropriate public body; or

(b) transfer the request in accordance with section 13, to the

appropriate information officer,

whichever will result in the request being dealt with sooner.

13. Transfer of request

(1) Where a request for access is made to the information officer of a
public body in respect of which
(a) the record is not in the possession or under the control of that body
but is in the possession of another public body; or

(b) the subject matter of the record is more closely connected with the
functions of another public body than those of the public body
of the information officer to whom the request is made,

the information officer to whom the request is made shall, as soon as

reasonably possible but in any event within twenty one days after the
request is received
(i) transfer the request to the information officer of the other
public body; and

(ii) if the public body of the information officer to whom the

request is made is in possession of the record and considers
it is helpful to do so to enable the information officer of the
other public body to deal with the request, send the record
or a copy of the record to that information officer.
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(2) Upon the transfer of a request for access, the information officer
making the transfer shall immediately notify the person requesting access
of
(a) the transfer;

(b) the reasons for the transfer; and

(c) the period within which the request shall be dealt with.

14. Records that cannot be found or do not exist

(1) Where a request for access is made to the information officer of a
public body in respect of which

(a) the record is not in the possession or under the control of the public
body of that information officer and the information officer does
not know which public body has possession or control of the
record; or
(b) all reasonable steps have been taken to find a record requested; and
(c) there are reasonable grounds for believing that the record

(i) is in the possession of the public body but cannot be found;

or

(ii) does not exist;

the information officer shall, in writing, notify the person that it is not
possible to give access to that record.

(2) The notice referred to in subsection (1) shall give a full account of
all steps taken to find the record in question or to determine whether the
record exists, as the case may be, including all communications with every
person who conducted the search on behalf of the information officer.

(3) For the purposes of this Act, the notice under subsection (1) is to
be regarded as a decision to refuse a request for access to the record.
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(4) Where, after notice is given under subsection (1), the record in
question is found, the person requesting access shall be given access to the
record unless access is refused on a ground for refusal under Part III.
15. Deferral of access
(1) Where the information officer determines that access may be
granted to a record, but that record
(a) is to be published within ninety days after the receipt or transfer of
the request or such further period as is reasonably necessary for
printing the record for the purpose of publishing it;
(b) is required by law to be published but is yet to be published; or

(c) has been prepared for submission to a public body, public officer
or a particular person but is yet to be submitted,
the information officer may defer giving access to the record.

(2) Where access to a record is deferred under subsection (1), the

information officer shall notify the person concerned
(a) that he or she may, within twenty one days after that notice is
given, make representations to the information officer why the
record is required before the publication or submission; and

(b) of the likely period for which access is to be deferred.

(3) Where a person makes representations under subsection (2)(a), the

information officer shall, after due consideration of those representations,
grant the request for access only if there are reasonable grounds for
believing that the person will suffer substantial prejudice if access to the
record is deferred for the period referred to in subsection (2)(b).

16. Decision on request and notice

(1) The information officer to whom a request for access is made or
transferred shall, subject to section 17, as soon as reasonably possible, but
in any event within twenty one days, after the request is received
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(a) determine in accordance with this Act, whether to grant the

request; and

(b) notify the person requesting access of the decision and, if the
person stated as required by section 11(2)(b), that he or she
wishes to be informed of the decision in any other manner,
inform him or her in that manner if it is reasonably possible.

(2) Where the request for access is granted, the notice under
subsection (1)(b) shall state
(a) the fee, if any, to be paid upon access;

(b) the form in which access will be given; and

(c) that the person requesting access may lodge an internal appeal or
an application with the court, as the case may be, against the
access fee to be paid or the form of access granted and the
procedure, including the period, for lodging the internal
application or appeal, as the case may be.

(3) Where the request for access is refused, the notice under subsection
(1)(b) shall
(a) state adequate reasons for the refusal, including the provisions of
this Act relied upon;

(b) exclude from any reasons stated under paragraph (a), any reference
to the content of the record; and

(c) state that the person may lodge an internal appeal or an application
with the court, as the case may be, against the refusal of the
request and the procedure, including the period, for lodging the
internal application or appeal as the case may be.

17. Extension of period to deal with request.

(1) The information officer to whom a request for access has been
made or transferred, may extend the period of twenty one days referred to
in section 16(1), in this section referred to as the "original period", once for
a further period of not more than twenty one days, if
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(a) the request is for a large number of records or requires a search

through a large number of records and compliance with the
original period would unreasonably interfere with the activities
of the public body concerned;
(b) the request requires a search for records in, or collection of the records
from, an office of the public body not situated in the same city,
town or location as the office of the information officer that cannot
reasonably be completed within the original period;

(c) more than one of the circumstances contemplated in paragraphs (a)

and (b) exist in respect of the request, making compliance with
the original period not reasonably possible; or

(d) the person requesting for the record consents in writing to the extension.

(2) Where a period is extended under subsection (1), the information

officer shall, as soon as reasonably possible, but in any event within twenty
one days, after the request is received or transferred, notify the person
requesting the record of the extension.
(3) A notice given under subsection (2) shall state
(a) the period of the extension;

(b) adequate reasons for the extension, including the provisions of this
Act relied upon; and

(c) that the person may lodge an internal appeal or an application with
a court, as the case may be, against the extension, and the
procedure, including the period, for lodging the internal appeal
or application, as the case may be.

18. Deemed refusal of request

Where an information officer fails to give the decision on a request for
access to the person concerned within the period contemplated under
section 16, the information officer is, for the purposes of this Act, regarded
as having refused the request.
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19. Severability
(1) Where a request for access is made for a record containing
information which is required or authorised to be refused under Part III,
then every part of the record which does not contain any such
information shall be disclosed notwithstanding any other provision of
this Act.
(2) Where a request for access to

(a) a part of a record is granted; and

(b) the other part of the record is refused,

in accordance with subsection (1), section 16(2) applies to paragraph

(a) of this subsection and section 16(3) to paragraph (b) of this
subsection.
20. Access and forms of access
(1) Where a person has been notified under section 16(1) that the
request for access has been granted, that person shall, subject to subsections
(3) and (10)
(a) where an access fee is payable, upon payment of that fee; or
(b) where no access fee is payable, immediately,

be given access in the applicable forms referred to in subsection (2) as

the person indicated in the request for access.
(2) The forms of access to a record in respect of which a request of
access has been granted are
(a) if the record is in written or printed form, by supplying a copy
of the record or by making arrangements for the inspection
of the record;
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(b) if the record is not in written or printed form

2005

(i) in the case of a record from which visual images or printed

transcriptions of those images are capable of being
reproduced by means of equipment which is ordinarily
available to the public body concerned, by making
arrangements to view those images or be supplied with
copies or transcriptions of them;
(ii) in the case of a record in which words or information are
recorded in a manner that they are capable of being
reproduced in the form of sound by equipment which is
ordinarily available to the public body concerned
(aa) by making arrangements to hear those sounds; or

(bb) if the public body is capable of producing a written

or printed transcription of those sounds by the use
of equipment which is ordinarily available to it, by
supplying that transcription;

(iii) in the case of a record which is held on computer, or in

electronic or machine-readable form, and from which the
public body concerned is capable of producing a printed
copy of
(aa) the record, or a part of it; or

(bb) information derived from the record,

by using computer equipment and expertise ordinarily

available to the public body, by supplying such a copy;

(iv) in the case of a record available or capable of being made

available in computer readable form, by supplying a copy
in that form; or

(v) in any other case, by supplying a copy of the record.

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(3) Where a person has requested access in a particular form, access

shall, subject to section 18, be given in that form, unless to do so
would

(a) interfere unreasonably with the effective administration of the

public body concerned;

(b) be detrimental to the preservation of the record; or

(c) amount to an infringement of copyright not owned by the State or

the public body concerned.

(4) Where a person has requested access in a particular form and for
a reason referred to in subsection (3), access in that form is refused but
access is given in another form, the fee charged may not exceed what
would have been charged if the person had been given access in the form
requested.

(5) Where a person with a disability is prevented by that disability

from reading, viewing or listening to the record concerned in the form in
which it is held by the public body concerned, the information officer shall,
if that person so requests, take reasonable steps to make the record available
in a form in which it is capable of being read, viewed or heard by that
person.
(6) Where access to a record is to be given to a person with a disability
and the person requests that access to be given in an alternative format, a
copy of the record shall be given in an alternative format
(a) immediately, if the record exists in the alternative format that is
acceptable to that person; or

(b) within a reasonable period to allow the public body to prepare

or cause to be prepared the alternative format, unless the
making of the alternative format is considered outrageously
expensive compared to the information required.
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(7) Where a record is made available in accordance with subsection

(5), the person shall not be required to pay an access fee which is more than
the fee which that person would have been required to pay, but for the
disability.
(8) Where a record is made available in terms of this section to a
person for inspection, viewing or hearing, that person may make copies
of, or transcribe the record using his or her equipment, unless to do so
would

(a) interfere unreasonably with the effective administration of the

public body concerned;

(b) be detrimental to the preservation of the record; or

(c) amount to an infringement of copyright not owned by the State

or the public body concerned.

(9) Where this section requires the supply to a person of a copy of a

record, the copy shall, if so requested by that person, be supplied by posting
it to that person.

(10) Where an internal appeal or an application to the court, as the case

may be, is lodged against the granting of a request for access to a record,
access to the record may be given only when the decision to grant the
request is finally confirmed.

21. Access to health or other records

An information officer shall refuse access to health records, the disclosure
of which would constitute an invasion of personal privacy.

22. Preservation of records

Where the information officer receives a request for access to records or
information, he or she shall ensure that the records or information
concerned are properly preserved until the request is met and where there
is an appeal, until all the procedures for appeal are exhausted.
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PART IIIEXEMPTION FROM ACCESS

2005

23. Interpretation
A provision of this Part under which a request for access to a record may or
may not be refused, may not be construed as

(a) limited in its application by any other such provision of this Part in
terms of which a request for access to a record shall or may or
may not be refused; and

(b) not applying to a particular record by reason that another provision

of this Part also applies to that record.

24. Access subject to conditions

(1) A person is entitled to access information or a record of a public
body if that person complies with all the requirements in this Act relating
to a request for access to that information or record; and access to that
information or record is not prohibited by this Part.
(2) A request made under subsection (1) may be for information or
records containing personal information relating to the person requesting
the information.

25. Cabinet Minutes and those of its Committees

(1) Subject to subsection (2), Cabinet minutes shall not be accessible
to any person other than an authorised public officer.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Minister may, from time to time
by regulations made under section 47, prescribe the categories of records
which shall or may be released after the expiration of seven years, fourteen
years and twenty one years respectively after the record came into existence.
26. Protection of information relating to privacy of the person
(1) Subject to subsection (2), an information officer may refuse a
request for access if its disclosure would involve the unreasonable
disclosure of personal information about a person, including a deceased
individual.
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(2) A person shall be granted access to a record referred to in

subsection (1) in so far as the record consists of information

(a) about a person who has consented in writing to its disclosure to the
person requesting the record;

(b) that was given to the public body by the person to whom it relates
and the person was informed by or on behalf of the public body,
before it is given, that the information belongs to a class of
information that would or might be made available to the public;
(c) already publicly available;

(d) about a person who is deceased and the person requesting the
information is
(i) the persons next of kin; or

(ii) making the request with the written consent of the persons
next of kin; or

(e) about a person who is or was an official of a public body and which
relates to the position or functions of the person, including, but
not limited to
(i) the fact that the person is or was an official of that public
body;

(ii) the title, work address, work phone number and other similar
particulars of the person;

(iii) the classification, salary scale or remuneration and

responsibilities of the position held or services performed
by the person; and

(iv) the name of the person on a record prepared by the person

in the course of employment.
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27. Protection of commercial information of third party

(1) Subject to subsection (2), the information officer shall refuse a
request for access to a record if the record contains
(a) proprietary information as defined in section 4;

(b) scientific or technical information, the disclosure of which is likely

to cause harm to the interests or proper functioning of the public
body; or

(c) information supplied in confidence by a third party, the disclosure

of which could reasonably be expected
(i) to put that third party at a disadvantage in contractual or
commercial negotiations; or
(ii) to prejudice that third party in commercial competition.

(2) A record may not be refused under subsection (1) insofar as it

consists of information
(a) already publicly available;

(b) about a third party who has consented in writing to its disclosure
to the person requesting for it; or

(c) about the results of any product, environmental or other

investigation supplied to or by, or carried out by or on behalf of
a public body and its disclosure would reveal a serious public
safety, public health or environmental risk.

28. Protection of certain confidential information

(1) Subject to subsection (2), an information officer

(a) shall refuse a request for access if the disclosure of the record
would constitute an action for breach of a duty of confidence
owed to a third party in terms of an agreement; or
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(b) may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the record
consists of information that was supplied in confidence by a
third party
(i) the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to
prejudice the future supply of similar information, or
information from the same source; and

(ii) if it is in the public interest that similar information, or

information from the same source, should continue to be
supplied.

(2) A record may not be refused under subsection (1) insofar as it

consists of information(a) already publicly available; or

(b) about the third party concerned that has consented in writing to its
disclosure to the person requesting it.

29. Protection of safety of persons and property

An information officer

(a) shall refuse a request for access if the disclosure of the record could
reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of
a person; or

(b) may refuse a request for access to a record of the body if the
disclosure of the record is likely to prejudice or impair
(i) the security of

(aa) a building, structure or system, including, but not

limited to a computer or communication system;
(bb) a means of transport; or

(cc) any other property; or

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(ii) methods, systems, plans or procedures for the protection

of
(aa) a person in accordance with a witness protection
scheme;

(bb) the safety of the public or any part of the public;

(cc) the security of property referred to in subparagraph

(b)(i).

30. Protection of law enforcement and legal proceedings

(1) An information officer

(a) shall refuse a request for access to a record if access to that record
would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial;

(b) may refuse a request to access if

(i) the record contains methods, techniques, procedures or

guidelines for

(aa) the prevention, detection, curtailment or investigation of

a contravention or possible contravention of the law; or

(bb) the prosecution of alleged offenders, and the

disclosure of those methods, techniques,
procedures or guidelines could reasonably be
expected to prejudice the effectiveness of those
methods, techniques, procedures or guidelines, or
lead to the circumvention of the law or facilitate the
commission of an offence;

(ii) the prosecution of an alleged offender is being prepared or

about to commence or pending and the disclosure of the
record could reasonably be expected
(aa) to impede that prosecution; or
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(bb) to result in a miscarriage of justice in that

prosecution; or

(iii) the disclosure of the record is likely to

(aa) prejudice the investigation of a contravention or

possible contravention of the law which is about to
commence or is in progress or, if it has been
suspended or terminated, is likely to be resumed;
(bb) reveal, or enable a person to ascertain, the identity of
a confidential source of information in relation to
the enforcement or administration of the law;

(cc) result in the intimidation or coercion of a witness, or

a person who might be or has been called as a
witness, in criminal proceedings or other
proceedings to enforce the law;

(dd) facilitate the commission of a contravention of the

law, including, but not limited, subject to
subsection (2), to escape from lawful detention; or

(ee) prejudice or impair the fairness of a trial or the

impartiality of an adjudication.

(2) A record may not be refused under subsection (1)(b)(iii)(dd)

insofar as it consists of information about the general conditions of
detention of persons in custody.
31. Protection of records privileged from production in legal
proceedings
An information officer shall refuse a request for access if the record is
privileged from production in legal proceedings unless the person entitled
to the privilege has waived the privilege.
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32. Defence, security and international relations

(1) An information officer may refuse a request for access to a record
of the body if its disclosure
(a) is likely to prejudice the defence, security or sovereignty of
Uganda;

(b) subject to subsection (3), is likely to prejudice the international

relations of Uganda; or
(c) would reveal information supplied in confidence by or on behalf of
another State or an international organisation.

(2) A record may not be refused under subsection (1)(b) if it came into
existence more than twenty years before the request.
(3) A record contemplated in subsection (1), without limiting the
generality of that subsection, includes a record containing information-

(a) relating to military tactics or strategy or military exercise or

operations undertaken in preparation of hostilities or in
connection with the detection, prevention, suppression or
curtailment of subversive or hostile activities;

(b) relating to the quality, characteristics, capabilities, vulnerabilities

or deployment of
(i) weapons or any other equipment used for the detection,
prevention, suppression or curtailment of subversive or
hostile activities; or
(ii) anything being designed, developed, produced or considered
for use as weapons or such other equipment;

(c) relating to the characteristics, capabilities, vulnerabilities,

performance, potential, deployment or functions of
(i) any military force, unit or personnel; or
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(ii) any body or person responsible for the detection, prevention,

suppression or curtailment of subversive or hostile activities;

(d) held for the purposes of intelligence relating to

(i) the defense of Uganda;

(ii) the detection, prevention, suppression or curtailment of

subversive or hostile activities; or

(iii) another state or an international organisation used by or on

behalf of Uganda in the process of deliberation and
consultation in the conduct of international affairs;

(e) on methods of, and scientific or technical equipment for, collecting,

assessing or handling information referred to in paragraph (d);
(f) on the identity of a confidential source and any other source of
information referred to in paragraph (d);

(g) on the positions adopted or to be adopted by Uganda, another state

or an international organisation for the purpose of present or
future international negotiations; or

(h) that constitutes diplomatic correspondence exchanged with another

state or an international organisation or official correspondence
exchanged with diplomatic missions of Uganda.

33. Operations of public bodies

(1) An information officer may refuse a request for access
(a) if the record contains

(i) an opinion, advice, report or recommendation obtained or

prepared; or

(ii) an account of a consultation, discussion or deliberation that

has occurred, including, but not limited to, minutes of a
meeting, for the purpose of assisting to take a decision in
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the exercise of a power or performance of a duty

conferred or imposed by law; or

(b) if the disclosure of the record could reasonably be expected to

frustrate the deliberative process in a public body or between
public bodies by inhibiting the(i) communication of an opinion, advice, report or
recommendation; or
(ii) conduct of a consultation, discussion or deliberation.

(2) A record may not be refused in terms of subsection (1) if the record
came into existence more than ten years before the request concerned.

34. Mandatory disclosure in public interest

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Part, an information officer
shall grant a request for access to a record of the public body otherwise
prohibited under this Part if
(a) the disclosure of the record would reveal evidence of

(i) a substantial contravention of, or failure to comply with the

law; or
(ii) an imminent or serious public safety, public health or
environmental risk; and

(b) the public interest in the disclosure of the record is greater than the
harm contemplated in the provision in question.
PART IVTHIRD PARTY INTERVENTION.

35. Notice to third parties

(1) Where an information officer intends to disclose any record
requested for that contains or which might contain
(a) trade secrets of a third party;

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(b) financial, commercial, scientific, or technical information that is

confidential information supplied to the public body by the third
party;

(c) information the disclosure of which could result in material

financial loss or gain, prejudice the competitive position of the
third party or interfere with contractual or other negotiations of
the third party,

the information officer shall, if the third party can be located, within
twenty one days after the request is received, give written notice to the
third party of the request and the intention to disclose the record.

(2) The third party to whom a notice is required to be given under

subsection (2) may waive the requirement and where the third party consents to
the disclosure, the third party shall be deemed to have waived the requirement.
(3) A notice given under subsection (1) shall include

(a) the intention of the information officer to release the record;

(b) a description of the content of the record, that it belongs to and was
supplied by or relates to the third party; and

(c) that the third party may, within twenty one days after the notice,
make representation as to why the record should not be
disclosed.

(4) The information officer may extend the period provided under
subsection (3)(c) if the time limit prescribed under section 17 is extended
but the extension under this subsection shall not exceed the extension under
section 17.

36. Representation by third party

(1) The third party to whom notice is given under section 35 shall
make the representation within the period stated in the notice and the
information officer shall within twenty one days of the notice, make a
decision whether or not to give access to the record.
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(2) The representation made under subsection (1) shall be given in

writing unless the information officer provides otherwise.

(3) The information officer shall give the third party notice of the
decision made under subsection (1) and the notice shall include a statement
(a) that the third party is entitled to request for a review of the
decision; and

(b) that the person who requested for access will be given access
unless a review is requested
PART VCOMPLAINTS AND APPEALS

37. Complaints to Chief Magistrate

A person may lodge a complaint with the Chief Magistrate, against the
decision of an information officer
(a) to refuse a request for access; or

(b) taken under section 17(1) or 20(3), in relation to that person.

38. Appeal to court

A person aggrieved by the decision of the Chief Magistrate under section 35,
may, within twenty one days after the decision is communicated to him or her,
appeal to the High Court against the decision of the Chief Magistrate.

39. Procedure
The Rules Committee shall, within six months after the commencement of
this Act, make rules of procedure for the courts to regulate the procedure in
respect of applications made under sections 35 and 40.

40. Disclosure of records by court

(1) Notwithstanding this Act or any other law, a court hearing an appeal
against a decision, may examine any record of a public body to which this Act
applies, and no such record may be withheld from the court on any grounds
except whenever access to information is expressly prohibited by this Act or any
other law.
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(2) The court may not disclose to any person, including the parties to
the proceedings concerned, other than the public body referred to in
subsection (1)

(a) any record of public body which, on a request for access, may have
been refused under this Act;

(b) if the information officer of a public body or the Inspector General

of Government in refusing to grant access to a record refused to
confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of the record,
any information as to whether the record exists.
(3) The court under subsection (1) may
(a) receive representation exparte;

(b) conduct hearings in camera; and

(c) prohibit the publication of such information in relation to the

proceedings as the court determines, including information in
relation to the parties to the proceedings and the contents or
orders made by the court in the proceedings.

41. Civil proceedings

(1) For the purposes of this Part, proceedings on application are civil
proceedings.
(2) The rules of evidence applicable in civil proceedings apply to
proceedings in an application under this Part.
(3) The burden of establishing that

(a) the refusal of a request for access; or

(b) any decision taken under this Act complies with the provisions of
this Act rests on the party claiming that it complies.
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42. Decision of court

The court hearing an application under section 37 may, in addition to any
other order, grant an order

(a) confirming, amending or setting aside the decision which is the

subject of the application concerned;
(b) requiring an information officer to grant or deny access to a record
of a public body;

(c) requiring the information officer or relevant authority of a public body

to take such action or to refrain from taking such action as the court
considers necessary within a period mentioned in the order;

(d) granting an interim or specific relief, a declaratory order or

compensation; or

(e) as to costs.

PART VIMISCELLANEOUS.

43. Annual report

(1) Each Minister shall submit an annual report to Parliament on requests
for access to records or information made to public bodies under his or her
ministry in relation to the relevant year, and shall indicate whether access was
given or not and if access was not given, state the reasons for denial.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, the annual report referred to in subsection(1) maybe included in the annual policy statement of the Ministry.

44. Protection of persons releasing information

(1) No person shall be subject to any legal, administrative or
employment-related sanction, regardless of any breach of a legal or
employment obligation, for releasing information on wrongdoing, or
information which would disclose a serious threat to health, safety or the
environment, as long as that person acted in good faith and in the
reasonable belief that the information was substantially true and disclosed
evidence of wrongdoing or a serious threat to health, safety or the
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environment.
(2) For purposes of subsection (1), wrongdoing includes the
commission of a criminal offence, failure to comply with a legal obligation,
a miscarriage of justice, corruption or dishonesty, or maladministration
regarding a public body.

45. Protection of officers

A public officer, information officer or other person acting on the directions
of such a person is not subject to any civil or criminal liability for any act
done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or performance of
any power or duty under this Act.
46. Offences
A person who with intent to deny a right of access under this Act(a) destroys, damages or alters a record;
(b) conceals a record; or

(c) falsifies a record or makes a false record,

commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not

exceeding two hundred and forty currency points or to imprisonment
for a period not exceeding three years or both.

47. Regulations
(1) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, make regulations for

(a) any matter which is required or permitted by this Act to be

prescribed;

(b) any matter relating to the fees including the procedures and guidelines
for determining when such fees should be waived or reduced;

(c) any notice required by this Act;

(d) forms for requests and places at which forms may be obtained;

(e) uniform criteria to be applied by the information officer when

deciding which categories of records are to be made available in
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terms of section 8;
(f) prescribing the categories of information that an information officer
may refuse to grant access to under sections 29,30,32 and 33;

(g) any administrative or procedural matter necessary to give effect to

this Act.

(2) The fee for access to be prescribed by regulations under this

section shall be a fee representing the actual cost of retrieval and
reproduction of the information.

(3)The Minister may prescribe in the regulations for the contravention

of any of the regulations, a penalty not exceeding two hundred and forty
currency points or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or
both.
48. Power of Minister to amend Schedule
The Minister may, by statutory instrument with the approval of Cabinet,
amend the Schedule.
SCHEDULE

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CURRENCY POINT

2005
Section 3

One currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand Uganda Shillings.

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Cross References

The Constitution
The Judicature Act, Cap 13

36

2005