THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN UGANDA.

TABLE OF CONTENT

DECLARATION .................................................................................. ii

APPROVAL ........................................................................................... iii

DEDICATION ..................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENT ...................................................................................................................... vi

ABSTRACT ....................................................................................... ix

CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................................ !

1.0 General introduction: ..................................................................................................................... I

1.1 Historical Background of the Study ............................................................................................... 2

1.1.1 Rights at stake ......................................................................... 4

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem ............................................................................................... 7

1.3 Objectives of the Research ............................................................................................................. 7

1.4 Significance of the Study I justification ......................................................................................... 8

1.5 Scope of the Study ...................................................................... 8

1.5.1 Subjective scope ................................................................... 8

1.5.2 Time scope .............................................................................. 8

1.5.3 Geographical Scope .................................................................................................................... 8

1.6 Literature Review ........................................................................ 9

1.7 Hypothesis of the Study ............................................................................................................... II

1.8 Synopsis ....................................................................................... 12

I .9 Research Methodology ................................................................................................................ 12

CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................... 13

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PRESS AND MEDIA FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

IN UGANDA ..................................................................................... l3

2.0 lntroduction ............................................................................... l3

2.1 General perspective of freedom of expression worldwide in relation to the press ...................... 13

2.1.1 Origin of the press and press freedom in Uganda as per freedom of expression ...................... 14

2.1.2 Freedom of Expression in Colonial Period ............................................................................... 14

2.1.3 Freedom of Press in Post- Independence Uganda under Obote I Regime-1962-1971 ............. 16

2. 1.4 Freedom of expression Press in A min's Regime - 1971-79 ..................................................... 17

2.1.5 Freedom of expression and the Press in Obotc II Regime ........................................................ 19

2.1.6 Freedom of expression and the Press during NRM era 1986 to the Present (20 16) ................. 19

vi

2.1.7 Other restrictions and interferences on Freedom of Expression after i995 to the present. (20 16)

......................................................................................................... 23

CHAPTER THREE ................................................................................ 27

THE LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF THE MEDIA AND

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION ..................................................................................................... 27

3.0 Introduction; ......................................................27

3.1. Uganda's international obligations ............................................................................................. 27

3.2. Ugandan national laws ................................................................................................................ 29

3.2.1. Laws Impacting on Media Freedom in Uganda ....................................................................... 31

3 .2.1.1 Penal Code Act, Cap 120 ....................................................................................................... 31

3.2.1.2 Anti-Terrorism Act, 2002 ...................................................................................................... 33

3 .2. I .3 The Presidential Elections Act 2005 and the Parliamentary Elections Act 2005 .................. 34

3.2.1.4 Uganda Communications Act 1997 ....................................................................................... 35

3.3.1 Broadcasting council ................................................................................................................. 35

3.3.2 Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) ......................................................................... 37

3.3.3 Media council ............................................................................ 39

3.4 The 2010 Draft Amendments to the press and journalist Act ...................................................... 40

CHAPTER FOUR ................................................................................... 43

ADVOCATING FOR FREE EXPRESSION IN UGANDA ........................................................ 43

4.0 Introduction ................................................................................ 43

4.1 Key issues of concem in media freedom in Uganda; the Press and Journalist Amendment Bill

2010 ................................................................................................. 44

4.1.1 The merger between the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Broadcasting

Council (BC) ...................................................................................................................................... 44

4.2. A critique of the sedition law in Uganda .................................................................................... 45

4.2. I. Assessing the legislative objective of sedition ......................................................................... 46

4.2.2 Depth and breadth; is sedition overly broad? ............................................................................ 48

4.2.3. The question of proportionality ............................................................................................... 49

4.2.4 Selectiveness and discrimination .............................................................................................. 51

4.3The case studies for the ii·eedom of expression ............................................................................ 52

4.3.1. The vagina monologues ........................................................................................................ 53

4.3.2 Hate speech and the Mabira forest demonstration ............................................................ 55

4.4 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 57

CHAPTER FIVE .................................................................................... 58

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ............................................................... 58

5.0 Introduction ................................................................................. 58

5.1 Order for radio stations to apologize for hosting opposition politicians ..................................... 59

5.2. Recommendations...................................................................... 61

5.4 Conclusion............................................................................................... 62

BIBILIOGRAPHY .................................................................................... 64

ABSTRACT

The right to freedom of expression is an important right in the functioning of a democratic society. Freedom of expression entails the right to hold opinion without interference and the rights to impart, seek and receive information and ideas, regardless of form, content, or source. It is an essential means by which citizens can influence their government and leaders. Freedom of expression is crucial for the development of a full democracy particularly in Uganda's revived multi-party system like media can play a critical role in promoting discussion and debate and ensuring political accountability. Under the NRM government, the media has gained considerable freedom and the member of media outlets has exploded. Statutory and regulatory measures, however, continue to limit freedom of the media, and the freedom of the press has declined considerably during the last five years and more. Journalists broadcasters continue to be subject to negative government reactions and interference. Public statements, judicial sanctions and arbitrary police actions have been employed to intimidate media practitioners critical of the current regime. These restrictive measures have created a level of self censorship, analysis and discussion. In addition, the prevailing economic pressure on the media industry compromises independence of the media. Joumalists are even poorly paid and often depend on government or civil society support to reach news centers. Restrictive legislation governing the operation of the media and provision criminalizing particular acts by the media several restrict journalists' and broadcasters' freedom and right to seek, receive and impart information and the public right to access such infom1ation. This in turn harms individual ability to fully exercise their rights and responsibilities in a multiparty democracy.