Media Groups, Criticism Of The Ugandan Government That Applies The Ambigu Information Technology Law

Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, has been accused of certifying an ambiguous IT law. (photo: Twitter @KagutaMuseveni)

JAKARTA - The media group asked the Ugandan high court on Monday, October 17 to overturn a new digital communication law that they said violated the constitution and paralyzed free speech.

The "Computer Abuse Act (Administrative) in Uganda, which came into effect last week, prohibits people from using computers to send any information that might mock or demean someone.

The laws and regulations prohibit anyone's recording or video without their consent, among other clauses, and have sentences ranging from fines to prison sentences.

ruling party officials and supporters of other laws argue the law will curb hate speech, protect children, and stop sharing false or malicious information.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who signed the bill into law on Thursday, October 13, regularly complains about what he calls lies to his government on social media.

Human rights groups called the law cruel, and said the law added to the use of gun warehouse authorities to target critical commentators and punish independent media.

In its submission to the Constitutional Court, 13 applicants said the law was unconstitutional, ambiguous and criminalized freedom of expression.

Peter Arinaitwe, a lawyer representing one of the applicants, Alternative Digitalk Limited, said an obscure language in the law could punish legitimate communication.

"Citizens have the right to express themselves. It is inherent. That is the right that nature has given us," Arinaitwe said.