SECTOR 1 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 2.3 (2010: 1.5; 2007: n/a) 1.5 Print publications are not required to obtain permission to publish from state authorities. Uganda’s laws governing the registration of publications are “a bit mixed up”. “It’s not clear what the situation is. Sometimes, the laws are not rigorously enforced, but they could still be invoked if the government was not keen on a certain publication.” The Press and Journalist Act (2000) permits anyone to publish a newspaper and simply requires the proprietor to lodge the following details about the editor with the Media Council: (a) his or her name and address; (b) certified copies of the relevant testimonials as proof of his or her qualifications and experience; (c) the name and address of the newspaper; and (d) such other particulars as may be prescribed by the council. The Act defines a newspaper as “a publication which contains all or any of the following: news; articles; entertainment; advertisements; reports of occurrences; views; and comments or observations which are published for distribution to the public either daily or periodically”. However, some panellists felt the law could still be used to restrict publications that “step on the wrong toes”. “If we followed the law to the letter, many publications would not be on the streets.” The panellist gave the example of Rolling Stone, a controversial publication that was forced to close because the editor had not registered with the Media Council. “Those kinds of things can be invoked. I’m sure most journalists don’t submit their details to the media council. But they could stop you (practising) as a result. I think we are very casual about these things.” 18 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012