Freedom of the Press - Uganda (2003)

Status: Partly Free
Legal Environment: 15
Political Influences: 16
Economic Pressures: 14
Total Score: 45

Population: n/a
GNI/capita: n/a
Life Expectancy: 43
Religious Groups: Roman Catholic (33 percent), Protestant (33 percent), Muslim (16 percent), indigenous beliefs (18 percent)
Ethnic Groups: Baganda (17 percent), Karamojong (12 percent), Basogo (8 percent), Iteso (8 percent), Langi (6 percent), Rwanda (6 percent), other (43 percent)
Capital: Kampala

The constitution provides for freedom of expression. However, several statutes require journalists to be licensed and meet certain standards, and a sedition law remains in force and has been used to prosecute journalists. In May, the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002 was signed into law, providing a possible death sentence for anyone publishing news "likely to promote terrorism." Independent media outlets, including more than two dozen daily and weekly newspapers as well as a growing number of private radio and television stations, are often highly critical of the government and offer a range of opposition views. Nevertheless, The Monitor, a leading independent newspaper, was briefly closed in October over the veracity of a report regarding the government's fight against guerillas in the northern part of the country. Reporters continue to face some harassment and threats at the hands of both police and rebel forces. High annual licensing fees for radio and television stations place some financial restraints on the broadcast media.