The Role of the Press in Facing Political Repression in Uganda

Since Yoweri Museveni’s ascension to power in 1986, Uganda has seen a significant growth in its media landscape, with the government initially proclaiming support for freedom of expression. However, a closer examination reveals a persistent pattern of political repression against the press, drawing parallels to the first regime of Milton Obote in the 1960s.

This article compares press freedom under Museveni’s rule to that of Obote’s first term. Both periods are often portrayed as eras of liberal politics in Uganda, yet both also saw significant repression of the press. During the Obote era, the government clamped down on Transition magazine, then Africa’s leading literary publication, due to its criticism of governmental policies. Similarly, since 1989, the Museveni government has continually harassed independent media outlets, particularly the Daily Monitor.

The study reflects on the historical “Transition Affair” of 1967-1969 and its aftermath, when the Obote regime attempted to suppress free speech by targeting Transition magazine. Under Museveni, the harassment of the Daily Monitor and other media outlets has manifested through various tactics, including court summonses and intimidation, which aim to suppress dissent and enforce self-censorship among journalists.

In a landmark judgment in February 2004, the Ugandan Supreme Court struck down Section 50 of the Penal Code, which criminalized the publication of “false news,” a law frequently used to stifle journalistic freedom. The court declared the law unconstitutional and a violation of free speech. Despite this ruling, the government’s efforts to suppress the press have continued, with the Daily Monitor enduring frequent government crackdowns.

Under Obote, arrests and detentions of journalists were common, often justified under laws meant to protect national security. In Museveni’s era, despite initial liberalization, the government has similarly sought to control the media, sometimes using the pretext of anti-terrorism laws to limit freedom of expression.

similarities between Obote and Museveni’s regimes highlight the need for constant vigilance to protect press freedoms. The history of Uganda’s media illustrates that even during periods of relative liberalism, governments can and do attempt to suppress the press to maintain control over public discourse.