SECTOR 1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is effectively protected and promoted. 1.1 Freedom of expression, including freedom of the media, is guaranteed in the constitution and supported by other pieces of legislation. The Constitutional guarantees remain the same as they were at the last AMB in 2010. • • • • Article 29 (1) (a) guarantees the right to free expression, which includes the freedom of the media. Article 41 (1) gives every citizen the right of access to information in the possession of the state. Article 43 (1) states that these and other fundamental rights shall be enjoyed as long as this does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others, or the public interest. Article 43 (2) (c) goes on to say that any such limitations should only be those acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society, or what is provided in the Constitution. Some panellists felt that other constitutional provisions are also relevant to free expression. For example, Article 1.1 in Chapter 1 states, “all power belongs to the people who shall exercise their sovereignty in accordance with this Constitution”. “The sanctity of this provision is, for me, very pronounced and should be highlighted”, said a panellist. Similarly, the Constitution’s Objective II.1 states “the State shall be based on democratic principles which empower and encourage the active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance”. “There are so many provisions of the Constitution that support freedom of expression.” However, while the Constitution guarantees free expression and of the media, there are a plethora of laws that limit or take away this right. Since the last AMB, the Regulation of the Interception of Communications Act of 2010 has been added to a long list of restrictive laws. And a number of other restrictive laws have been drafted: 12 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012