Ugandan court removes key pieces of controversial internet law

Uganda’s constitutional court on Tuesday removed key parts of a controversial internet law. The law was accused by human rights groups of stifling freedom of speech.

A section of the Computer Misuse Act made it a crime to “use electronic communications to interfere or attempt to interfere with the right of any person to peace, tranquility, or privacy, except for legitimate purposes of communication.”

Judge Kenneth Kakul announced the judgment of the court’s five-judge panel, finding that the provision of the 2011 law violated the East African country’s constitution and was “invalid.”

“I think the problematic section limits freedom of speech in a free and democratic society and is unjustifiable,” Kakul said, adding that it was “too vague.”

Rights groups have complained about the Communications Act as a way for the government to curb freedom of expression and crack down on opponents of veteran President Yoweri Museveni.

The government has yet to say whether it will appeal the ruling, which has been hailed by rights activists.

“This is a victory not just for us as petitioners, but for human rights defenders in general,” said Andrew Karamaghi, one of the people behind the original legal challenge filed in 2016. Stated.

“Justice has been brought. This oppressive law has been curbed,” added rights attorney Elon Kiesa.

“Human rights and freedom of expression can never be taken away by mere legislation or government,” he told AFP.

Last year, Uganda’s leading rights groups and lawyers filed a legal challenge to changes to the Computer Misuse Act that introduced tougher measures to regulate online behavior and harsher penalties for violators. .

Amnesty International criticized the amendment Museveni signed in October as “harsh”.

People convicted under the law are barred from holding public office for 10 years, which Amnesty International says is a measure of state control over free expression online, including by political opposition groups. He warned that it was a way to strengthen.

Violators can also be fined up to 15 million Ugandan shillings (approximately $3,900) and imprisoned for up to seven years.

Uganda has seen a series of crackdowns on those opposing Museveni’s rule, especially before and after the 2021 elections, with journalists attacked, lawyers jailed, poll monitors prosecuted, the internet shut down, and opposition parties slammed. The leader slammed his muzzle hard.