Civic space is the physical, virtual, legal, regulatory, and policy space where people can, among other things, securely exercise their rights to the freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, and expression, in keeping with human rights.As Uganda edges closer to the year 2026 when the country will hold her next general elections, it is noteworthy that democratic elections thrive on fundamental liberties namely; freedom of movement (mobility), freedom of assembly (campaign rallies and processions), and freedom of association (direct candidate and voter interaction). Yet, these are the very liberties that a growing number of citizens as revealed in ACFIM Report on State of Civic Space in Uganda, feel and opine that they are restricted.
The new Computer misuse laws which according to pro-democracy and human rights activists, threatens the freedom of expression, and coming on the heels of the extended suspension of Facebook in Uganda which remains in place for the second year running, paints a bleak future for netizens at a time when many Ugandan young people have taken refuge to social media to express their voices of dissent. The new Act prescribes punitive measures for sending or sharing false, malicious, and unsolicited information online.