Uganda’s Artists Still at Risk Despite Court Victories

Freemuse and Selam have submitted a joint report to the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Uganda ahead of the country’s review in early 2027. The submission raises serious concerns about the state of artistic freedom but also recognises some important legal progress.

Between 2023 and 2026, Uganda’s Constitutional Court struck down several repressive provisions. These included laws criminalising “offensive communication”, hate speech and the “misuse of social media”, as well as criminal defamation rules that had long been used against artists and government critics. These rulings are significant, but they do not tell the whole story.

Artists and critics still face serious risks for speaking out. Courts continue to impose harsh sentences over satirical content about the President, and a law criminalising acts intended to “alarm, annoy or ridicule” him remains in force. This means public officials continue to receive special protection from criticism even as other restrictive laws are being overturned. Equally concerning is the unrestrained exercise of power by public officials. One of the most alarming incidents documented in the submission took place in June 2026, when the Chief of Defence Forces ordered a military siege of an independent media house.

Several cases of politically motivated suppression are also highlighted, from the cancellation of a concert linked to opposition affiliation, to the unresolved disappearance of musician King Zale, who has been missing since April 2026.

The submission also describes a wider shrinking of civic space. New legislation introduced in 2024 and 2026 has made it more difficult for civil society organisations, including groups that support artists, to access funding and carry out their work. The Anti-Homosexuality Act passed in 2023, among other laws, has created a climate of uncertainty and self-censorship. It has enabled arbitrary restrictions on content and placed particular pressure on LGBTI+ artists.

Freemuse and Selam conclude by urging Uganda to ensure that restrictions on freedom of expression are subject to proper judicial oversight. They also call for the repeal of laws that protect public officials from criticism, credible investigations into disappearances, and equal protection for artists regardless of their political views or affiliations.

Read the joint UPR submission by Freemuse and Selam here.