This report as part of that advocacy strategy, highlights some of the laws and decrees in Uganda that infringe on civic freedoms in a bid to rebuild Civic Space in the country. The research reconstructs the various legal processes in the country, portraying what has been changed and what is yet to be changed.
It is worth noting that at least a volume of laws has gradually reduced civil society's freedom of action in Uganda, much as some have been nulled.
In addition, the NGO Act was signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on January 30, 2016. Under Article 29(1)(d) and (e) of the 1995 Constitution (as amended), the right to assemble freely was violated by this Act were Section 44 states that NGOs are not allowed to operate anywhere in the country without first receiving permission from the District Non-Governmental Monitoring Committee (DNMC) and the local government and then signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with government officials. Without
approval from the National Bureau for NGOs through the relevant DNMC, NGOs are not permitted to open offices in new regions.
At a time when civil society in Uganda is facing major issues like restrictive laws and policies, intimidation, harassment, arrests, physical attacks, frivolous or politically driven prosecutions, and so on, a study on the civic space index in Uganda couldn't come at a more opportune moment. There appears to be an
"offense" in the penal code when human rights activists call for government transparency and accountability.
Article 38 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda guarantees the right of all citizens to take part in the operations of national government, either directly through their representatives in parliament or indirectly through civic organizations. Citizens need what is generally called "civic space" to exercise and enjoy this right to its maximum degree. "a collection of conditions that allow CSO and individuals to organize, engage, and communicate freely and without prejudice, and in doing impact the political and social structure around them," as stated by Civicus International, is what is meant by "civic space."
Download the report in English