An Assessment of the Law on Protection of Freedom of Expression and Association in Uganda Between 1995 and 2018
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AN ASSESSMENT OF THE LAW ON PROTECTION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ASSOCIATION IN UGANDA BETWEEN 1995 AND 2018. BY EGIMU AARON JOEL LLB/44339/143/DU A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF LAW IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF THE AWARD OF BACHELOR OF LAWS AT KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR MR. MASABA PETER JUNE 2019 DECLARATION I, EGIMU AARON JOEL solemnly declare that this dissertation is my original research work both in substante and in style and that to the best of m y knowledge it. h as never been submitted in any academic institution for any academic award. I further declare that. a ll materials cited m this dissertation which are not my own have been fully acknowledged. Dale ..?;~ -~- ~- b. .t~~ . ~1 ..... EGIMU AARON JOEL APPROVAL This dissertation has been submitted for examination w ith the approval of the supervisor. Mr. Masaba Peter ?-\o1 tl1 Date: ... ................... ii DEDICATION This paper is dedicated to my parents for seeing me through school, especially my father for making this dream come true. Thanks to my family and friends for the encouragement and moral support. Great thanks to the Lord God who has enabled this with the gift of faith and hope. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Special Acknowledgement goes to my supervisor Mr. Masaba Peter who provided a lot of technical and professional guidance whenever 1 approached him in order to produce this quality work. Special thanks also go to my father Ochen Julius Peter who decided to forego other things and endeavored to S!Jpporl my education. Sincere thanks also go to my brothers and sisters, my friends Okello Christopher Oryem, Kiscmbo Fred, Lactlla Johnmary, Apedu Naboth ,Ekiru Yuven, Agitta Beth and Nagawa Barbra , the staff Kampala International University main campus, and relatives for any form of support they gave me during the struggle. I cannot forget my fellow students of bachelors of laws, academic year 2015- 2019 for the encouragement, guidance and counseling they rendered to me especially while pursuing this course. Lastly, I thank the Almighty God who enabled me to finish this course. iv LIST OF ACRONYMS ACHPR African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights HRW Human Rights Watch ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and political Rights ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights NRM National Resistance Movement UBOs Uganda Bureau of Statistics UN I-IS Uganda National rlousing Statistics UNUDI-IR United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights ECPHRF' Guropean Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and fundamental Freedoms. UPF' Uganda Police 'Force ucc Uganda Communication Commission UPFD Uganda People's Defence Force UHRC Uganda Human Rights Commission EOC Equal Opportunities Commission PCA Penal Code Acl Cap 120 as amended in 2007 LRA Lord's Resistance Army NGOs Non Governmental Organizations FDC Forum for Democratic Change Party v EMA Electronic Media Act ULRC Uganda Law Reform Commission OTT Over The Top Services UNHS Uganda National Housing Statistics UBOS Uganda Bwrcau of Statistics DNMC District Non-Governmental Monitoring Committee MOUs Memorandum of Understanding UEC Uganda Electoral Commission CCEDU Citizen's Coalition for Electoral Democracy LGBT Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual and Transgcnda NOTU National Organization of Trade Unions UMA Uganda Manufacturers Association JLOS The ,Justice, Law and Order Sector SAPs Structural Adjustment Programmes MPs Members of Parliament SMUG Sexual Minorities Uganda vi LIST OF STATUTES National Legislations 1. The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, as amended 2. The Registration on Interception of communication Act 2010 3. The Computer Misuse Act 201 1. 4. Public Order and Management Act 2013 5. The Press Censorship and Correction Ordinance No 13 of 1948 6. The Penal Code Act Cap 120 7. The Press and journalists Act Cap I 05 8. The Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 9. The Presidential Election Act No. 16 of 2005, as amended. 10. The Uganda Police Force Act Cap 303 11. Uganda Communications Act Cap 106 12. Electronic Media Act Cap 104 13. Equal Opportunities Act 2007 14. Uganda law Reform Commission Act Cap 25 15. Parliamentary Elections Act No 17 of 2005,as amended. 16. Exercise Duty (am.cndment) Act 2018 17. Non-Government Organization (NGO) Act of 2016 18. Uganda Communications Commissions (amendment) Act 2013 19. Labour Unions Act No. 7 /2006 vii Regional and International Instruments 1. International Convenient on Civil and Political Rights 2. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 3. African Charter on Human and People's Rights. 4. The European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 5. United Nations Charter 1945 6. Universal Declaration of Human Rights 7. The American Convention on Human Rights 8. Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. (as amended on 14'11 December, 2006 and 2Qth August 2007) viii LIST OF CASES 1. Muwanga Kivumbi V Attorney General Constitutional Petition No. 9 of 2005 2. Rev. Christopher Mtikila V. Attorney General Civil Suit No. 5 of 1995 3. Charles Onyango Obbo & Anor V. Attorney General (Constitution Appeal No.2 of2002) (2004) UGSCI (10th February 2004). 4. Dr. Paul Ssemwogerere &, 5 Others V. Attorney General Constitution Petition No. 512002 (CC) (unreported) 5. Dr. James l'<wanyarare &, anor. V. Attorney General Constitutional Case No. 1 I 1994 (HC). unreported) 6. Salvatori Abuki V. Attorney General Constitutional case No 2 I 1997 CC 7. Nabagescra &, 3 Others V. Attorney General and another (Miscellaneous Cause No. 33 of2012) 201"!) UGHCCD 85 (24 June 2014) 8. Uganda V. Haruna Kanabi Crim Case No. U997 I 1995 9. Kyagulanyi Tla Bobiwine V. Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander and another (Miscellaneous cause No. 313 of 20 17) (20 19) UGHCCD 1 13 (10 May, 2014) 10. Oloka-Onyango and 9 others V. Attorney General (miscellaneous cause No. 33 of2012) (2014) UGHCCD 85 (24th June 2014) 11. Andrew Muju~i Mwenda &, East African Media Institute V Attorney General Consolidated Constitutional Petitions No. 12 of 2005 and 3 of 2006 12. Victor ,Juliet Mukasa and anor V Uganda miscellaneous cause No 24106 High Court of Uganda, Civil Division, 22 November 2008; (2008) AHLR 248 13. Kasha ,Jacqueline, David Kato Kisule &, Onzima Patience V. Rolling Stone Lld &, Anothers Miscellaneous cause No. 163 of 2010 (unreported) 14. Marbury V Madison 5 US. 137 (1803 15. Expartc Matovu Case (1966) EA 514 ix 16. Christine Mularidika & 7 others V The people (Supreme court of Zambia) 21 November 1995, 10 .January 1996 17. Dr. Sam Lyomoki & 5 Others V Attorney General Constitutional Petition No. 8/2004. X TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION ................................................................................................. i APPROVAL ...................................................................................................... ii DEDICATION ................................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................... iv LIST OF ACRONYMS ....................................................................................... v LIST OF STATUTJ.<:S ........................................................................................ vii LIST OF CASES .............................................................................................. ix TABLE OF CONTP.;NT ..................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... xiii CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................... I 1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ....................................................................... 1 1. 1 Background of the ·study ........................................................................... 5 1.2 Statement of the Research Problem ........................................................... 7 1.3 Research Questions .................................................................................. 8 1.4 Scope of the Study···············'···································································· 9 1.4.1 Subjective Scope .................................................................................... 9 1.4.2 Time Scope ............................................................................................. 9 1.4.3 Geographical Scope ................................................................................ 9 1.5 Literature Review ...................................................................................... 9 1.6 Objectives of the Study ............................................................................. 12 1. 7 Justification of the Study ........................................................................ 13 1.8 Hypothesis .............................................................................................. 13 1. 9 Methodology ......... : .................................................................................. 14 l. 1 0 Synopsis ............................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................ 15 ' HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND ASSOCIATION .............................................................................................. 15