Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda)

The severity of one of the recent attacks, in which intruders beat a security guard to death, demonstrates the urgency of addressing these attacks, for which no-one has been held responsible.

IFEX members call on the Prime Minister of Tonga to cease threats of suspension of journalist Viola Ulakai and respect his past commitment to press freedom in the country.

“The perpetrators have not only deprived a family of a breadwinner but have also deprived society of a promising journalist whose activities were anchored towards youth empowerment,” said AFEX Steering Committee Chairperson, Zoé Titus.

According to rights groups, Bahraini government’s claims of having implemented all BICI recommendations is mere lip service.

The African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX) is calling on Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to protect free speech. AFEX’s petition highlights 26 incidents of freedom of expression violations that have been perpetrated with impunity in Uganda in 2016 alone.

A sinister pattern continues to cast a shadow over Uganda’s civil society.

The Uganda Communications Commission has ordered social media platforms to shut down ahead of the swearing in of President Yoweri Museveni. Social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp were also shut down during the presidential elections in February 2016.

In a surprise twist of events, just two days after officiating on World Press Freedom Day celebrations, the Minister for Information and National Guidance has banned media coverage of political activities of the opposition ‘defiance campaign’.