Uganda



From the Communiqué

10 March 2010

New bill protects whistleblowers, but press freedom still undermined

Despite a new bill that protects those who disclose information on corruption, free expression remains under threat. The Ugandan parliament has passed a bill that protects individuals who disclose information on corruption or law-breaking in government or private bodies, reports ARTICLE 19. But Ugandan journalists are fighting for the right to do their jobs as press freedom violations escalated in the country in 2009 with countless radio stations shut down, say local rights groups.
16 September 2009

Crackdown on radio journalists

Power struggles between President Museveni and the Buganda kingdom spur riots in Kampala; the state shuts down radio stations in retaliation A spasm of violence shook Uganda last week in a power struggle between the government and the Buganda kingdom. State-run Uganda Broadcasting Council shut down radio stations on 11 September, ordering a halt to political debate and commentary on clashes in the capital, Kampala, according to the Media Institute (MI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members.
2 September 2009

Ahead of elections, authorities crack down on media

Journalists at As tensions build in the lead-up to the 2011 general elections in Uganda, so do criminal charges and prosecutions against journalists, say the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and local rights groups. Four journalists from the "Monitor", Uganda's largest independent paper, are facing criminal prosecutions, while three other independent journalists have been accused of sedition, reports CPJ.
26 February 2008

COMMUNITY RADIO PRESENTER KILLED

A radio producer in Uganda was raped and killed by unidentified assailants, report Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Eastern Africa Journalists Association (EAJA).
4 September 2007

HOMOSEXUALITY DEBATE IGNITES CRACKDOWN ON FREE EXPRESSION

The Uganda Broadcasting Council (UBC) has suspended a popular Capital FM radio presenter for hosting gay activists who used "foul language" on air, effectively silencing a renewed debate on gay and lesbian rights, reports Kenya-based IFEX member the Media Institute.
17 August 2005

INDEPENDENT RADIO STATION CLOSED, JOURNALIST CHARGED

Ugandan authorities have closed a local private radio station, K-FM, and charged a talk show host with sedition after he alleged that the recent death of former Sudanese Vice President John Garang was caused by the "incompetence" of the Ugandan government, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).



Campaigns and Advocacy

17 September 2009

Thirty-one IFEX members call on President Museveni to lift the ban on the four radio stations and address the state of free expression

Uganda President Yoweri Museveni Condemning the shut-down of four radio stations and a violent crackdown on members of the press during a period recent social unrest, 31 IFEX members call on President Museveni to guard free expression rights.
2 June 2008

Regional free expression group calls on president to respect press freedom

(MFWA/IFEX) - The following is a 29 May 2008 joint statement by eight IFEX members and other members of the Network of African Freedom of Expression Organisations (NAFEO):

Alerts

ARTICLE 19 welcomes introduction of whistleblowers bill 10 March 2010 President Museveni files libel complaint against two journalists 4 February 2010 Reporter harassed by police for allegedly libeling President Museveni 5 January 2010 One radio station re-opened, but another loses its licence 25 September 2009 "The Independent" editors charged with sedition 24 September 2009 Journalist freed on bail, faces sedition charges 16 September 2009 Radio One journalist hospitalised; two journalists suspended over radio reports 16 September 2009 Four radio stations closed; talk-show host detained for "inciting riots" 14 September 2009 Paper's cartoon of president draws interrogation 31 August 2009 Four "Monitor" journalists face criminal prosecutions 26 August 2009 Ugandan tabloid "Red Pepper" charged with defaming Libyan president, editor objects to harassment 20 February 2009 Editor summoned for questioning by police over magazine's political coverage 24 November 2008 Investigative journalist, arrested, charged with "promoting sectarianism" and "incitement to violence" 30 October 2008 Journalist fights off abduction attempt after receiving threatening calls 29 October 2008 Previously-harassed HIV/AIDS activist abducted, tortured by police 30 July 2008 Tabloid's printing press torched by gunmen, its staff followed by unidentified individuals 2 July 2008 Sexual rights activists detained briefly, face charges; government determined to enforce silence around sexuality and HIV/AIDS, says Human Rights Watch 12 June 2008 IFJ calls for government response to rumours of planned media crackdown 30 May 2008 Two other journalists arrested for "possessing seditious materials" and "publishing inflammatory materials"; photojournalist picked up during raid 30 April 2008 Top journalist released from detention, his offices raided and materials seized 28 April 2008

Reports

Attacks on the Press in 2008: Uganda 12 March 2009 World Report 2009: Uganda 22 January 2009 SPEAKING OUT FOR FREE EXPRESSION 1987-2007 AND BEYOND: Uganda 8 January 2009 World Report 2008: Uganda 3 April 2008 Freedom of the Press 2007: Uganda 27 February 2008
 
The International Freedom of Expression eXchange (IFEX) is a global network of 88 organisations working to defend and promote the right to free expression.
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