Some of the petitioners at court

Lawyers, students sue govt over subscription fees for revised laws

by · The Observer

A group of 13 public interest litigants, led by lawyer Amos Kuuku, has petitioned the Civil Division of the High court in Kampala, challenging the decision to charge fees for accessing the 7th Revised Edition of the Principal Laws of Uganda.

The petitioners, including law students Harry Mwesigwa, Marvin Nuwe Ahereza, Eron Mirembe, Ivan Bwire Ogoya, Emily Noelin Binega, Faridah Badru Chelangat, Alexander Tamira, Mark Ssemakula, Edmund Ayesigwa, Felix Olindi Onan, Mathew Asasira, and Catherine Nakibuuka, are pursuing bachelor's degrees in law and postgraduate diplomas at the Law Development Centre (LDC).

In their case, filed on Tuesday, the group argues that imposing fees for accessing the 7th Revised Edition of the Principal Laws, which was launched on June 27, 2024, and became effective on July 1, is unconstitutional and illegal. They criticize the Uganda Law Reform Commission and the Attorney General for rushing the release of the revised edition and claim that the fees are excessive.

Currently, hard copies of the 7th Revised Edition are priced at Shs 2.5 million. Alternatively, access through a subscription-based online portal on the Uganda Law Reform Commission’s website costs Shs 5,000 per day, Shs 50,000 per month, Shs 500,000 per year, or Shs 10 million for a platinum package.

The petitioners further argue that this revision has rendered previous editions obsolete, leaving many without affordable access to the laws. They also highlight the Uganda Law Reform Commission’s failure to provide the new edition in braille for individuals with visual impairments. Catherine Nakibuuka and Mathew Asasira, both visually impaired law students, have struggled to access the new laws due to compatibility issues with their assistive technology.

The group contends that charging for access to public statutes contradicts the "Government Edicts Doctrine," which asserts that laws should not be copyrighted or restricted. They argue that these fees disproportionately impact small law firms, students, researchers, and marginalized communities, limiting their ability to access crucial legal information.

The litigants seek to overturn the decision to charge fees for the 7th Revised Edition and request that the Uganda Law Reform Commission publish the laws online for free. They also call for the edition to be made available in braille at no cost and for hard copies to be offered to approved law firms, legal aid service providers, and academic institutions at subsidized rates.

The case is pending assignment to a judge, with the Uganda Law Reform Commission and the Attorney General expected to file their defense.

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