(iii) Freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition and (ii) Freedom of thought, conscience and belief, which shall include academic freedom in institutions of learning (i) Freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and other media It provides that every person has a right to: At the national level, the right to freedom of expression is guaranteed under Article 29 of the Constitution of Uganda 1995. This has been criticized for allowing states to substantially limit the enjoyment of this right using laws, which has been common in many African countries. From the African Charter, it can be noted that it subjects the enjoyment of this right to the law that is, the freedom of expression according to the African Charter should be exercised within the limits of the law. (ii) Every individual shall have the right to express and disseminate his opinions within the law. (i) Every individual shall have the right to receive information. The Charter provides under Article 9 that: At the regional level, freedom of expression is protected under the African Charter for Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) – also known as the African Charter. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association is enshrined in the main universal legal instruments for the protection of civil and political rights, namely, in Article 20 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) and Articles 21 and 22 (respectively) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This right is also key to the achievement of economic, social and cultural rights.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association is both a human right itself and an enabler of citizens’ political participation in democratic governance. Human rights defenders in Uganda are experiencing an alarming backsliding on human rights characterized by governments increased use of violence and repression to silence peaceful dissent while failing to ensure accountability for abuses of the security forces. The government should do far more to protect freedoms of expression, association and assembly and provide justice for crimes committed by government agencies. Uganda is experiencing clear patterns of repression against peaceful assembly, association and expression as well as constrained work of activists and journalists.

Freedom of expression and association