Uganda’s Press Freedom Threatened: UCC Targets Media Employees’ Personal Social Media

Uganda’s struggle with press freedom has reached another disturbing low. On Friday, October 18, 2024, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), under the direction of Executive Director Mr. Nyombi Thembo, issued a new directive that could have far-reaching implications for the country’s already beleaguered media landscape. This latest order requires media house owners and operators to regulate their employees’ personal social media and online platforms, marking a significant escalation in the state’s control over free expression.

The directive, unveiled during a UCC meeting in Kampala, is part of a broader effort to curb what the government terms as “abuse of digital space” by media personnel. Mr. Nyombi Thembo emphasized that media houses must take responsibility for the online conduct of their employees, even on their private platforms, warning that failure to comply would lead to consequences including fines, shutdowns, and the revocation of operating licenses.

This directive is not just an attack on press freedom but an attack on personal freedoms, drawing widespread condemnation from journalists, human rights advocates, and the international community. Many fear that this will further erode Uganda’s already declining press freedoms, silencing critical voices and pushing the country closer to authoritarianism.

To understand the gravity of this directive, it is crucial to delve into the long history of Uganda’s struggle with press freedom. While the country once had a vibrant and dynamic media landscape, successive governments have repeatedly cracked down on journalists and media outlets in an attempt to control the narrative and stifle dissent.

Uganda’s press freedom began to decline significantly in the late 1990s under President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. In the early years of his presidency, there was a semblance of press freedom, with several independent newspapers and radio stations operating without much interference. However, as opposition to his government grew, so did the clampdown on critical voices.

The turning point came in 2006 during the heated presidential elections. Several media houses, including The Monitor (now Daily Monitor) and Red Pepper, faced intimidation and threats from the government for covering opposition candidates. Journalists were harassed, and some were even detained on charges of sedition and defamation. The government also began to impose strict regulations on broadcasting licenses, making it difficult for new independent media outlets to emerge.

By the time of the 2011 elections, the situation had deteriorated further. The government passed the Public Order Management Act (POMA), a law that severely restricted public gatherings and, by extension, the ability of journalists to cover protests and political events freely. Under this law, media coverage of opposition rallies and demonstrations was often prohibited, with journalists facing arrests for defying the regulations.

The introduction of the Anti-Terrorism Act in 2002 also gave the state broad powers to clamp down on media outlets that were perceived to “promote terrorism.” This law has been misused on several occasions to arrest and prosecute journalists who report on sensitive topics, such as government corruption, security issues, or the activities of the opposition.

The 2021 elections saw unprecedented levels of violence and censorship, with journalists being brutalized by security forces while covering political events. The Uganda Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ) documented over 50 cases of journalists being attacked, detained, or harassed in the lead-up to the elections. The government also shut down the internet on election day, further suppressing media coverage of the polls.

In recent years, the use of digital surveillance and cyber laws has become another tool for the government to control the media. The Computer Misuse Act, amended in 2011 and further expanded in 2022, criminalizes the use of social media platforms to criticize the government. Journalists and bloggers have been arrested and charged under this law for posting content that the state deems “offensive.”

The directive by the UCC to regulate media employees’ personal social media platforms is an extension of these repressive tactics. It reflects a deepening fear within the government of the power of social media to mobilize dissent and amplify voices critical of the state. Social media has increasingly become a platform for Ugandans to express their discontent, particularly in a media environment where traditional outlets are tightly controlled.

Implications of the UCC Directive

The UCC’s directive represents a new phase in Uganda’s ongoing decline in press freedom. It seeks to not only control what journalists report in their professional capacity but also regulate their personal online spaces, infringing on their individual rights to free expression. For journalists who rely on social media to share uncensored news, connect with their audience, and engage in public discourse, this directive will have a chilling effect.

This move also places an unreasonable burden on media house owners and operators, who are now tasked with monitoring and policing the personal activities of their employees. The practicalities of enforcing such a rule are fraught with challenges, but the mere existence of the directive will force many to self-censor for fear of repercussions.

Moreover, this directive sets a dangerous precedent, signaling that no space—whether professional or private—is safe from government surveillance and control. It pushes Uganda further down the path of authoritarianism, where the state seeks to control not just the press but all forms of expression.

International and Domestic Outcry

The directive has sparked immediate backlash from journalists and media organizations. The Uganda Human Rights Network for Journalists (HRNJ) condemned the move as unconstitutional and a violation of personal freedoms. International watchdogs like Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Uganda Journalist Association UJA have also raised alarm, warning that Uganda is rapidly becoming one of the most repressive countries for journalists in Africa.

The international community, including key allies like the United States and European Union, has expressed concern over Uganda’s deteriorating press freedom. In recent years, both the US State Department and the European Parliament have issued statements condemning Uganda’s treatment of journalists and the suppression of free speech. However, these criticisms have often been met with defiance from the Ugandan government, which continues to claim that such measures are necessary to maintain security and order.

As Uganda moves forward with the UCC directive, the future of press freedom in the country looks increasingly bleak. The directive’s immediate effect will be a further narrowing of the space for independent journalism and critical commentary, as both traditional media and online platforms fall under tighter government control.

The long history of Uganda’s decline in press freedom serves as a cautionary tale of how authoritarianism can slowly erode the rights of citizens to free expression. The media’s role in holding power to account is being systematically undermined, and with each new law, regulation, or directive, Uganda inches closer to a fully controlled information environment.

The UCC directive is a clear sign that Uganda’s government is not backing down in its campaign to silence dissent. The fight for press freedom, however, continues, with journalists, human rights activists, and the international community working to push back against these oppressive measures. But until there is a significant shift in the political landscape, Uganda’s press freedom will remain under siege.