Stop intimidation,
harassment, arbitrary
arrests and prosecution of
journalists and activists and
hold to account those that
violate journalists’ rights.

Stop the practice of internet
shutdowns and any other
arbitrary actions that limit
access to, and use of the
internet.

Amend and repeal provisions
under the Press and Journalist
Act, which create an onerous
accreditation and registration
regime for the practice of
journalism.

Restore all digital networks
including social media, and
ensure that any limitations
conform to regional and
international standards.

During the period leading to the 2021 elections,
several journalists and media practitioners,
especially those covering opposition candidates
were beaten, harassed, detained and had their
equipment destroyed by security forces.
On 27 December 2020, Ashraf Kasirye, a
journalist working with the online media
organisation Ghetto was shot on the head and
was seriously injured as he covered presidential
candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine).3 On
the same day, two other journalists working for
NTV and NBS were seriously injured when
police shot at them. 4
The Inspector General of Police justified the
beatings on “safety reasons” and to restrain
journalists from going where there’s danger.5 In
February 2021, UPDF soldiers beat up several
journalists at the premises of the UN Office of
the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who
were covering the delivery of a petition by the
National Unity Platform party president over
human rights abuses.6

Enhance digital accessibility
and inclusion for the excluded
including persons with
disabilities, women and rural
communities.
On 11 January 2021, access to Facebook
was blocked and two days later on 13
January 2021, the eve of the presidential
and parliamentary elections, the Uganda
Communications Commission (UCC) ordered
all telecommunication companies to shut
down internet access which lasted for five
days.7 To date, access to Facebook remains
blocked.8
In December 2020, the government through
UCC wrote to Google to shut down 17
YouTube channels including TMO Online and
Lumbuye Fred.9
An Over The Top tax of 200 Ugandan Shillings
(0.05USD) was introduced in July 2018 and
this contributed to a five million decrease in
the number of internet users.10 There is also a
new 12% levy on internet data that is likely to
further heighten digital exclusion and sustain
inequality along gender lines.11

Select target paragraph3