Uganda: Journalists under threat

Supporters of Uganda's ruling party, including government officials, are threatening and intimidating journalists in an effort to curb criticism of the government, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Human Rights Watch urged the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to honor World Press Freedom Day on May 3, 2010, by publicly condemning such practices and amending laws to protect free expression in the lead-up to the 2011 elections. The 60-page report, "A Media Minefield: Increased Threats to Freedom of Expression in Uganda," documents multiple recent cases in which Ugandan journalists have faced increasing threats from government officials and NRM party members, intimidation, harassment, and in some instances, government-inspired criminal charges. The cases involved journalists who had reported critically about the government, presented opposing political views, or exposed state wrongdoing, such as corruption or failure to investigate crimes, particularly in rural areas. Furthermore, Uganda's media regulatory system is partisan and does not tolerate criticism of the governing party, Human Rights Watch said.