Press Freedom in Uganda: A Step Forward, Two Steps Back
At the launch event held at the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, HRNJ-Uganda’s Executive Director, Robert Ssempala, presented the report titled “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: The Slippery Media Landscape.” The report details various violations, including blocked access to information, assaults, equipment damage, arrests, and intimidation.
Kirstine Primdal Sutton, representing the Royal Danish Embassy, participated in the event by signing a ceremonial copy of the report. Her presence signified the Embassy’s ongoing support for media freedom and the protection of journalists’ rights in Uganda.
Despite a slight improvement in Uganda’s global press freedom ranking—from 133rd in 2023 to 128th in 2024—the report emphasizes that press freedom remains under significant pressure. Challenges such as government crackdowns, political tensions, and hostility toward journalists persist, particularly as the country approaches its 2026 general elections.
Image Credit: HRNJ-Uganda