The Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) has in a bid to make changes in the distribution, affordability, and accessibility of the Uganda Gazette , introduced its digital edition, named the E-Gazette.
The development means the official legal document and official government newspaper of record which has been in hard copy for 120 years now goes digital.
Prof. Sudi Nangoli. UPPC Managing Director, informed that the shift from traditional hard copy to the online platform aims to enhance accessibility and convenience for all Ugandans.
“We made initial efforts to go digital and scaled back, but now we are officially reintroducing the E. Gazette copy. We must keep up with trends as the world moves towards digital, and we cannot remain confined to traditional hard copy,” Nangoli said.
He added that the e-version of the Uganda Gazette is not only affordable compared to the hard copy but also eliminates the burden of dealing with physical papers for proper records keeping.
“The annual subscription fee for the hard copy Gazette is shs1.4 million, while the e-gazette is only shs800,000 . For a nominal fee of shs3,000 Ugandan , users can now have the entire Gazette at their fingertips than paying shs5,000 for the hard copy,” Nangoli explained.
To access the E-gazette, individuals need to subscribe by opening an account on the UPPC website by logging on www.uppc.go.ug and navigating to the ‘E.Resources’ option.
The Uganda Gazette, a weekly publication by the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC), is typically released on Fridays.
However, an extra ordinary Gazette may be published on any day of the week as needed.
This publication regularly features crucial information, including legal notifications, statutory instruments, electoral notices, and private legal announcements.
Legal notices encompass a variety of matters such as bankruptcies, company registrations and closures, probate proceedings, company by-laws, and changes in names (deed polls), land titles, statutory notices, laws, ordinances trademarks, certificates of eligibility, places for celebration of marriages, security uniforms, physical development plans, commissioner for oaths, boards of governors, mining licenses, copyrights and patents, company resolutions among other important updates.
Despite its rich content, the Uganda Gazette experiences limited circulation as a result of a constrained number of outlets.
This limitation restricts access to this publication, which should ideally be essential for ministries, departments, and agencies, law firms, professional bodies, private organizations and NGOs, media, the international community and the general audience.
Rebecca Nyakairu, UPPC’s Public and Corporate Affairs Manager, noted that the E-gazette will expand the reach of the Gazette in the public domain.
“People now have the convenience of accessing the Gazette online, whether at home using laptops, phones, or any preferred devices,” said Nyakairu.
However, Nyakairu stressed that the digital transition doesn’t mark the demise of the hard copy version. Acknowledging the preference for physical copies, she affirmed, “Embracing the digital frontier with the E-Gazette doesn’t mean saying farewell to the traditional hard copy. We understand that some still cherish the experience of a hard copy. Rest assured, the hard copy will still be available.”
During the launch of their five year strategic plan, UPPC Managing Director Prof. Nangoli assured that 80 percent of their product offerings will be digitized by 2026.
“As we navigate an increasingly digital landscape, we will harness the power of technology to enhance our products and services for the convenience of our stakeholders,” Prof. Nangoli said.
