By Peter G. Mwesige

The Ugandan Cabinet’s ban on “ALL live broadcast media coverage of the activities of the ‘Defiance Campaign’ organized by Dr. Kizza Besigye and his cohorts” is as absurd as the Constitutional Court’s interim order that halted the opposition’s election protests.

Gen. Jim Muhwezi, the Minister of Information and National Guidance, who on Tuesday joined journalists to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, has today warned that “Any media houses that continue offering live coverage of the so-called ‘Defiance Campaign’ risk having their broadcasting licenses revoked.”

I hope the media will defy this ridiculous and unconstitutional ban on free speech and expression.

As we celebrated World Press Freedom Day on 3 May in Kampala, Dr. Katebalirwe Amooti Wa Irumba, the Ag. Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, urged the government to “keep all restrictions on freedom of expression and the media within the acceptable human rights standards”.

“In this respect,” he said, “they must be legal, necessary, proportional, acceptable and demonstrably justifiable in a free and democratic society; and those that enforce the restrictions must be accountable.”

The ban on live media coverage of Besigye’s defiance campaign is illegal, unnecessary, disproportional, unacceptable and unjustifiable even in a society like ours that is neither entirely free nor fully democratic.

The Uganda Law Society and others have already alluded to the absurdity of Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma hearing the government’s application that he based on to issue the interim order against the ‘defiance campaign’ exparte (in the absence of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his party).

But even if one were to argue that Kavuma’s interim order went through due process, I don’t see how it can be used to justify a ban on live media coverage of the defiance campaign or other election-related protests.

The executive has used the courts to gag a legitimate political actor from expressing his dissatisfaction with the manner in which the man he was challenging, President Yoweri Museveni, was re-elected. Dr Besigye and others have challenged the court’s directive. The media have acted as a witness to this contestation and brought the fight to our living rooms. It is up to Ugandans to decide whether to embrace ‘defiance’ or accept ‘no change’.

The media are messengers. They are not the authors of the defiance campaign, which, by the way, is also allowed by our Constitution. At least the court is yet to rule to the contrary.

As the chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission reminded us, “We must also keep in mind that freedom of the press and other media is a corollary to the freedom of expression of the individual. This connotes the fact that the promotion and protection of media freedom necessarily promotes and protects freedom of speech and expression of individuals and the public. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true that when media freedom is attacked or illegitimately restricted, the general freedom of speech and expression of individuals is negatively impacted.”

It appears that the Cabinet wants the media to ignore the defiance campaign and focus on the “outpouring of love” as President Museveni is sworn in next week.

The good citizen should be urging the media to report the political events unfolding before us accurately, fairly, comprehensively and in a manner that helps all understand what’s at stake.

The media should subject claims by both Besigye, Museveni and other political actors to thorough scrutiny.

But they owe it to the public to cover the activities of all these actors.

Dr. Peter G. Mwesige is co-founder and executive director of African Centre for Media Excellence. He previously headed the department of journalism & communication at Makerere University and was executive editor of Monitor Publications Ltd.

Twitter: @pmwesige  

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Today, was the first day of demonstrations in demand of an Independent Audit of the 2016 presidential elections? On this day, matches were planned from FDC offices to assembly areas.

As expected, heavy military and police deployments were made in all towns; several leaders’ homes were barricaded; and many roadblocks were erected. This is all anticipated and good for the defiance campaign! The dictator’s forces are worn out, even before citizens take any action!

What was rather surprising, but quite in keeping with the panic and desperation of the NRM Junta now, was the statement made by Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Minister of Information.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayihura, Attorney General Freddie Ruhindi and his deputy, Director of Uganda Communications Commission, and, ominously, the heads of major media houses, notably Nbs, NTV, and Vision group, accompanied Gen. Muhwezi.

In his statement, Gen Muhwezi said: “All live broadcast of defiance activities should stop. Any media house that continues to cover them risks having their license revoked”. He went on to intimidate the media generally about any coverage of what he termed “defiance activities”.

Deputy AG Mwesigwa Rukutana told the press that Uganda, as a sovereign nation, doesn’t have to abide by international covenants regarding press freedom and other Human Rights!

The disgraceful actions of the NRM Junta, to further curtail press freedom in Uganda, should be strongly resisted. The Uganda media practitioners shouldn’t take this lying down. International media freedom defenders should also take appropriate action.

Another action in keeping with the panic mode was the flying of fighter jets over the Kampala city and surrounding areas! Military spokesman says they were on “routine test flights”.

From Mukono and parts of Kampala and Wakiso, there are reports of a presence of soldiers that speak languages unknown in Uganda. This raises worry that foreigners may be involved in the massive deployments.

This would not be surprising considering that in the 2016 election, members of the armed forces are known to have voted overwhelmingly for change. That may have put the loyalty of most UPDF and UPF soldiers to the NRM regime is in question.

In spite of the heavy media and physical intimidation, Ugandans came defiantly came out and demonstrated in many parts of the country. Main action areas included Lira, in Northern Uganda; Mbale, Busia, and Kamuli in Eastern Uganda; Rukungiri, Bushenyi & Mbarara in Western Uganda; Wakiso and Kampala in Central Uganda.

Many people were arrested and are being held in various police stations. Some of the people arrested were actually not involved in the demo. Our leaders are trying to gain access to all those arrested.

I congratulate the courageous citizens that have defiantly demonstrated today. Many people were waiting for me to get arrested! As I’ve pointed out before, this is not about FDC or me.

This demonstration is about citizens having their votes count; regaining control over their country; regaining control over state institutions; and regaining control over national resources.

Citizens want a country that works for them: ensures their dignity by having decent jobs; ensures good health care, quality education, modern infrastructure; a corruption-free environment etc.

That’s why the demonstration, including the prayers, will continue until the people’s will is respected. We shall overcome!

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