[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"layout-categories":3,"layout-countries":36,"layout-hot-news":53,"news-article:lack-of-accountability-transparency-challenges-in-east-africa":54,"news-last-updates:4":104,"news-related:4":240,"news-comments:4":297},[4,12,19,25,30],{"id":5,"title":6,"fullTitle":6,"description":7,"icon":8,"alias":9,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},5,"Sustainability","Climate action, conservation, and green initiatives shaping the region's future.",null,"sustainability","",false,{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},1,"Cooperation","International Cooperation & Partnerships","Coverage of partnerships, international relations, and collaborative initiatives","cooperation","#669c35",{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},4,"Politics","Politics & Conflict","Diplomatic affairs, regional tensions, and political developments in and around Tanzania.","politics",{"id":26,"title":27,"fullTitle":27,"description":28,"icon":8,"alias":29,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},3,"Business","Trade, investment, and economic cooperation between Tanzania and its neighbors.","business",{"id":31,"title":32,"fullTitle":32,"description":33,"icon":8,"alias":34,"color":35,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},2,"Tech & Innovation","Digital transformation, startups, and tech solutions driving change in East Africa.","tech-and-innovation","#f5ec00",[37,40,43,46,50],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},"Kenya","kenya",{"id":20,"title":41,"alias":42},"Rwanda","rwanda",{"id":5,"title":44,"alias":45},"Uganda","uganda",{"id":47,"title":48,"alias":49},6,"Zambia","zambia",{"id":31,"title":51,"alias":52},"DR Congo","dr-congo",[],{"id":20,"title":55,"alias":56,"publishedAt":57,"description":58,"previewImage":59,"author":60,"sections":63,"tags":85,"relatedTags":93,"categories":94,"countryCategories":96,"relatedPosts":98,"nextArticle":99,"likesCount":74,"isLiked":11,"isCommentsEnabled":102,"commentsCount":74,"views":103,"readingTime":31},"Lack of accountability: Transparency challenges in East Africa","lack-of-accountability-transparency-challenges-in-east-africa","15-05-2026 17:09","\u003Cp>Despite the existence of robust transparency laws and anti-corruption mechanisms, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda continue to fight persistent corruption. A new regional study conducted in Kampala by Transparency International offices from these three countries shows that the main obstacle to accountability is no longer the lack of legislation, but its ineffective application. \u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F15\u002FAqbxJMGsehJ3ALWEHrSz4jtn6KxaFcsQWlVI2bre.webp",[61],{"id":20,"name":62,"avatarPath":8,"about":8},"Halima Makame",[64,75],{"id":65,"type":66,"data":69,"order":74},7,{"title":67,"value":65,"shortName":68},"Gallery","GALLERY",{"gallery":70},[71],{"fileId":72,"filePath":73,"title":8},22,"https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost_section\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F15\u002FhOzEjyEyYoDQANFAk87jE6Q6Y3dIwvaRnSLQb84o.webp",0,{"id":76,"type":77,"data":80,"order":13},8,{"title":78,"value":13,"shortName":79},"Text editor","TEXT_EDITOR",{"content":81,"additionalAlignment":82},"\u003Cp>The report highlights an alarming trend in Uganda, where access to information remains severely limited. Between 2018 and 2025, only 25% of requests for information were answered, while 75% were «tacitly refused». Ultimately, only 14% of applicants successfully gained access to the requested information.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Lamex Apitta Omara, a member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), emphasized that transparency is the foundation of legitimate governance. He noted that access to information is a constitutional right that is supported by international mechanisms such as the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Omara warned that when important processes, such as the purchase of medical services or court decisions, are shrouded in secrecy, fundamental human rights are violated.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The regional Corruption Perception Index reflects these systemic gaps. Rwanda leads the region with a score of 53 out of 100, due to strong centralized control and digital systems. Kenya follows it with 31 points, while Uganda is in 26th place.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Gilbert Sendugwa, Executive Director of the African Center for Freedom of Information, stressed that although these countries have ratified international instruments, they lack the necessary institutional framework, active disclosure of information and public awareness to make these laws effective. He noted that parliaments charged with oversight rarely punish institutions for non-compliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The study also identified significant barriers to transparency, including legal exemptions, weak digital infrastructure, and the high cost of information requests. Given that the Internet penetration rate in the region is only 40%, the rural population is still largely deprived of access to digital government information.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>In addition, the report highlights the evolving nature of corruption, which is becoming increasingly cross-border. Edrin Wanyama, CIPESA's legal program manager, argues that transparency laws are effective only when the public actively uses them to scrutinize budgets and procurement.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Ultimately, the report concludes that while East Africa has made progress in adopting transparency legislation, there remains a large gap between policy and practice. Without strengthening law enforcement practices and abandoning institutional secrecy, accountability mechanisms in the region will continue to exist on paper rather than in reality.\u003C\u002Fp>",{"title":83,"value":84},"Align Left","left",[86,89],{"id":47,"title":87,"alias":88,"is_current":11},"Republic of Uganda","republic-of-uganda",{"id":90,"title":91,"alias":92,"is_current":11},13,"Economy","economy",[],[95],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[97],{"id":5,"title":44,"alias":45},[],{"id":26,"title":100,"slug":101},"EADB launches a $13 million fund to combat unemployment in the EAC countries","eadb-launches-a-dollar13-million-fund-to-combat-unemployment-in-the-eac-countries",true,325,[105,133,158,180,203,223],{"id":106,"title":107,"alias":108,"description":109,"publishedAt":110,"previewImage":111,"views":112,"tags":113,"categories":129,"countryCategories":131,"relatedPosts":-1},82,"The impact of the US-Iran agreement on fuel prices in East Africa","the-impact-of-the-us-iran-agreement-on-fuel-prices-in-east-africa","\u003Cp>The recent peace agreement between the United States and Iran has brought a new wave of optimism to global oil markets, which will directly affect the cost of fuel in Kenya. Here, households and transportation companies face high energy costs.\u003C\u002Fp>","20-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Fg9CtoAE6hFPI6aoTubSlE3nZkMYJHzPxdpZL11qW.webp",419,[114,117,121,125],{"id":65,"title":115,"alias":116,"is_current":11},"Republic of Kenya","republic-of-kenya",{"id":118,"title":119,"alias":120,"is_current":11},36,"Safety","safety",{"id":122,"title":123,"alias":124,"is_current":11},39,"Mineral resources","mineral-resources",{"id":126,"title":127,"alias":128,"is_current":11},47,"Regional development","regional-development",[130],{"id":5,"title":6,"fullTitle":6,"description":7,"icon":8,"alias":9,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[132],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":134,"title":135,"alias":136,"description":137,"publishedAt":138,"previewImage":139,"views":140,"tags":141,"categories":154,"countryCategories":156,"relatedPosts":-1},81,"DR Congo Geological Survey launches ambitious research program","dr-congo-geological-survey-launches-ambitious-research-program","\u003Cp>Head of the National Geological Survey of the Congo Raul Vasenga Vitima presented large-scale geological projects that are currently funded by the State of the Congo. These initiatives aim to identify new mineral deposits that will help support the global transition to sustainable energy sources while providing jobs for local residents.\u003C\u002Fp>","20-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Ft60pasHscPNnKa6onXxD1xFWjTm91N83ibWWFkw0.webp",455,[142,146,149,150],{"id":143,"title":144,"alias":145,"is_current":11},9,"Democratic Republic of the Congo","democratic-republic-of-the-congo",{"id":13,"title":147,"alias":148,"is_current":11},"Climate Resilience","climate-resilience",{"id":126,"title":127,"alias":128,"is_current":11},{"id":151,"title":152,"alias":153,"is_current":11},27,"Energy industries","energy-industries",[155],{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[157],{"id":31,"title":51,"alias":52},{"id":159,"title":160,"alias":161,"description":162,"publishedAt":163,"previewImage":164,"views":165,"tags":166,"categories":176,"countryCategories":178,"relatedPosts":-1},80,"Rhino Ark demands to stop the construction of an airstrip in the forest","rhino-ark-demands-to-stop-the-construction-of-an-airstrip-in-the-forest","\u003Cp>The Rhino Ark Kenya charitable organization has expressed disagreement with the ongoing construction of an airstrip inside the Upper Imenti Forest Reserve and appealed to the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEMA) to immediately stop all work until all environmental regulations are fully complied with and public discussions are held.\u003C\u002Fp>","19-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002FHQrlkymdOFaUAnux4zGpxp026Wtt8gona8h1Nv2D.webp",494,[167,168,172],{"id":65,"title":115,"alias":116,"is_current":11},{"id":169,"title":170,"alias":171,"is_current":11},23,"Infrastructure projects","infrastructure-projects",{"id":173,"title":174,"alias":175,"is_current":11},31,"Environmental policy","environmental-policy",[177],{"id":20,"title":21,"fullTitle":22,"description":23,"icon":8,"alias":24,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[179],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":181,"title":182,"alias":183,"description":184,"publishedAt":185,"previewImage":186,"views":187,"tags":188,"categories":199,"countryCategories":201,"relatedPosts":-1},79,"Kenya and the UAE are building Africa's digital future","kenya-and-the-uae-are-building-africas-digital-future","\u003Cp>The recently concluded AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya forum, held in Nairobi, brought together over 15,000 participants, which confirmed that the achievements of Kenya and Africa in the field of artificial intelligence and digital technologies are already part of today, and not a distant prospect.\u003C\u002Fp>","19-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Fw6AHwwU3YGy0v7XtmnvBpwSOIvxNkHI5VP7eYiUo.webp",366,[189,190,194,198],{"id":65,"title":115,"alias":116,"is_current":11},{"id":191,"title":192,"alias":193,"is_current":11},35,"Information security","information-security",{"id":195,"title":196,"alias":197,"is_current":11},34,"Digitalization","digitalization",{"id":126,"title":127,"alias":128,"is_current":11},[200],{"id":31,"title":32,"fullTitle":32,"description":33,"icon":8,"alias":34,"color":35,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[202],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":204,"title":205,"alias":206,"description":207,"publishedAt":208,"previewImage":209,"views":210,"tags":211,"categories":220,"countryCategories":222,"relatedPosts":-1},78,"The global monetary order is entering a period of historical transition","the-global-monetary-order-is-entering-a-period-of-historical-transition","\u003Cp>An imperceptible revolution is taking place at the heart of the global financial system. Countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America are actively working to reduce their dependence on the traditional dollar-based financial structure. This could lead to one of the most significant transformations of the international monetary system since the collapse of the Bretton Woods Agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>","18-06-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F18\u002Fb8QAhBmwzGd0mfnwPOB5U5irmzj46kl0n4VquhKF.webp",367,[212,213,214,217],{"id":90,"title":91,"alias":92,"is_current":11},{"id":126,"title":127,"alias":128,"is_current":11},{"id":26,"title":215,"alias":216,"is_current":11},"Investment","investment",{"id":20,"title":218,"alias":219,"is_current":11},"Partners","partners",[221],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[],{"id":224,"title":225,"alias":226,"description":227,"publishedAt":228,"previewImage":229,"views":230,"tags":231,"categories":236,"countryCategories":238,"relatedPosts":-1},77,"NEMA has ordered two facilities in Nairobi to comply with environmental regulations","nema-has-ordered-two-facilities-in-nairobi-to-comply-with-environmental-regulations","\u003Cp>The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEMA) has sent notices of improvement to two facilities in the Nairobi and Kaiole industrial zones following scheduled inspections.\u003C\u002Fp>","18-06-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F06\u002F15\u002FK9mhn1OWAnjWprBfQ6a58KFipjDVgnV1Pu5XHf0O.webp",430,[232,233,234,235],{"id":173,"title":174,"alias":175,"is_current":11},{"id":169,"title":170,"alias":171,"is_current":11},{"id":126,"title":127,"alias":128,"is_current":11},{"id":90,"title":91,"alias":92,"is_current":11},[237],{"id":5,"title":6,"fullTitle":6,"description":7,"icon":8,"alias":9,"color":10,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[239],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},[241,264,279],{"id":242,"title":243,"alias":244,"description":245,"publishedAt":246,"previewImage":247,"views":248,"tags":249,"categories":260,"countryCategories":262,"relatedPosts":-1},41,"Airtel Uganda is testing the Starlink Direct-to-Cell satellite connection","airtel-uganda-is-testing-the-starlink-direct-to-cell-satellite-connection","\u003Cp>Airtel in Uganda has officially begun testing its Starlink direct satellite service, a strategic initiative aimed at expanding network coverage and bridging the digital divide in the country's most remote regions. The trials began after receiving permission from the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the recent approval of the Ugandan government to operate Starlink in the country.\u003C\u002Fp>","30-05-2026 15:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F28\u002FGKAHnLh017qPHsopWBM74kEd7hPdv1p7FJxP0EG3.webp",202,[250,251,252,253,257],{"id":47,"title":87,"alias":88,"is_current":11},{"id":195,"title":196,"alias":197,"is_current":11},{"id":126,"title":127,"alias":128,"is_current":11},{"id":254,"title":255,"alias":256,"is_current":11},42,"Technologies","technologies",{"id":242,"title":258,"alias":259,"is_current":11},"Infrastructure","infrastructure",[261],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[263],{"id":5,"title":44,"alias":45},{"id":265,"title":266,"alias":267,"description":268,"publishedAt":269,"previewImage":270,"views":271,"tags":272,"categories":275,"countryCategories":277,"relatedPosts":-1},30,"Kenyan President William Samoi defends NSSF reforms and says the country must end its reliance on borrowing","kenyan-president-william-samoi-defends-nssf-reforms-and-says-the-country-must-end-its-reliance-on-borrowing","\u003Cp>President William Ruto defended the reforms of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), saying that Kenya had to change its contribution model due to years of low national savings rates, which led to the country's excessive dependence on external borrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>","27-05-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F21\u002F7H9RXlFxA4TRWbj7Cs3WurxZf4AZ0AzmiGubzvyj.webp",517,[273,274],{"id":65,"title":115,"alias":116,"is_current":11},{"id":90,"title":91,"alias":92,"is_current":11},[276],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[278],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},{"id":169,"title":280,"alias":281,"description":282,"publishedAt":283,"previewImage":284,"views":285,"tags":286,"categories":293,"countryCategories":295,"relatedPosts":-1},"Inside the KRA proposal: freezing taxpayers assets until appeals are heard","inside-the-kra-proposal-freezing-taxpayers-assets-until-appeals-are-heard","\u003Cp>The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is pushing for significant enforcement powers under the Finance Bill of 2026, which could allow tax authorities to actively seek payment of disputed taxes and freeze taxpayers' assets until appeals are finalized. These proposals, which amend the Law on Tax Procedures and the Tax Appeals Tribunal system, represent a significant expansion of the KRA's powers as the government seeks to increase revenue to address the growing debt and budget deficit.\u003C\u002Fp>","23-05-2026 11:30","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.the-port-brief.co.tz\u002Fimage\u002Fpost\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F21\u002F46oFPqGWJm06rU6s2uTTHLyC7yMObCrsuUZ3oG4z.webp",398,[287,288,289],{"id":65,"title":115,"alias":116,"is_current":11},{"id":90,"title":91,"alias":92,"is_current":11},{"id":290,"title":291,"alias":292,"is_current":11},20,"Legislation","legislation",[294],{"id":13,"title":14,"fullTitle":15,"description":16,"icon":8,"alias":17,"color":18,"isShowOnMainPage":11,"isShowOnTopMenu":11},[296],{"id":26,"title":38,"alias":39},[]]