SECTOR 1 1. Freedom of expression and information, including the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other form of communication, including across frontiers, is a fundamental and inalienable human right and an indispensable component of democracy. 2. Everyone shall have an equal opportunity to exercise the right to freedom of expression and to access information without discrimination. Part II on Interference with Freedom of Expression says: 1. No one shall be subject to arbitrary interference with his or her freedom of expression. 2. Any restrictions on freedom of expression shall be provided by law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary in a democratic society. In its latest (November 2008) report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Government of Uganda lists and acknowledges most of the instruments, adding that the Ugandan constitution embraces the various rights. It is part of the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s job to monitor the government’s compliance with these instruments and remind it of its duties in this regard. The Commission, for example, makes recommendations on bills before Parliament to ensure compliance with human rights standards. However, some of these recommendations have not been adopted in the new laws. If the government upheld the constitution, it would effectively honour the various regional and international instruments on human rights. Because it does not faithfully honour the constitution it makes laws and policies that infringe freedom of expression and the media as outlined in the preceding sections. The judiciary, however, has borne these instruments in mind on a number of occasions, for example when the Supreme Court ruled to strike down the law on publication of false news. 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: 1.5 (2007: n/a) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2010 21