The Human Rights Commission has called on all information holders to accelerate efforts towards full compliance with the Access to Information (ATI) Act No. 24 of 2023, as the two-year progressive compliance period draws closer to its conclusion in June 2026.
In a statement the Commission reminds public institutions, private entities and non-state actors holding information of public interest that the ATI Act came into force on 25th June, 2024, following the issuance of Statutory Instrument No. 35 of 2024.
The law provides a transitional compliance window running until 25th June, 2026, to allow institutions to align their systems, processes and records management practices with the Act.
Human Rights Commission Chairperson, Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, has emphasized that the progressive compliance period was designed to safeguard citizens’ constitutional right to access information.
Dr. Sambo warns that once the compliance period expires, the Commission will begin enforcing administrative penalties against institutions that fail to meet their obligations under the law.
The Commission has since operationalised the legal framework through the publication of the Access to Information Regulations under Statutory Instrument No. 56 of 2025 and the Access to Information Guidelines issued in December 2025, aimed at guiding both information holders and requesters.
Dr. Sambo has encouraged institutions to familiarise themselves with the ATI Act, Regulations and Guidelines, all of which are freely accessible on the Human Rights Commission and National Assembly websites, adding that the Commission remains available to provide further guidance.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
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