Uganda’s human rights record will come under scrutiny at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva, Switzerland, as the United Nations Human Rights Council evaluates the records of all 193 UN member states. In what activists describe as a “name-and-shame” accountability process, Uganda will have to defend its growing clampdown on digital rights, with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) cited among state institutions accused of enabling human rights abuses and censorship. A joint report by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET), titled Human Rights in the Digital Context in Uganda, accuses the country of repeatedly failing to meet its national, regional and international obligations to protect freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, data protection and participation in public affairs. While Uganda has made significant strides in e-government services, telemedicine and expanding digital access, the report argues that these advances have not translated into universal, affordable and meaningful connectivity. Instead, it points to a deteriorating environment characterised by restrictions on freedom of expression, arrests of critics and dissidents, excessive regulation and taxation of digital spaces, and persistent violations of digital rights. Between 2024 and 2025, authorities intensified the crackdown on online expression, with several social media users arrested, charged and sentenced over content deemed insulting to President Museveni, the First Family, former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and other public officials. The crackdown extended to traditional media. On March 13, 2025, several TV journalists were injured and their equipment seized at a private residence where National Unity Platform (NUP) officials were visiting to examine alleged ballot pre-ticking ahead of the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election. ACCESS AND AFFORDABILITY According to UCC, Uganda had 47.1 million active mobile subscriptions, 18.5 million active internet subscriptions and 36.3 million active mobile money accounts as of December 2025. However, the report raises concerns about the cost of accessing digital services. It cites the Income Tax (Amendment) Act of 2023, which introduced a five per cent levy on non-resident suppliers earning income from digital services. Additionally, Uganda imposes a 12 per cent tax on the net price of internet data, 18 per cent value-added tax (VAT), a 12 per cent excise duty on airtime and value-added services, and a 10 per cent import duty on devices. An official from one of the telecommunications companies, who spoke to The Observer on condition of anonymity, said the industry was surprised by the government’s rejection of proposals to reduce taxes on digital devices and services. “We told them let’s have the taxes reduced on smartphones because the more affordable they become, the more people purchase them. With smaller taxes, you’re able to aggregate all those but then also enable everyone to get access. The more access, the more people consume other digital services, which you can then minimally tax,” the official said. The official added that telecom companies had proposed testing the tax reductions in one region in northern Uganda and on selected basic smartphones, but government officials were more interested in collecting a lump sum. Uganda’s internet freedom score has also declined, falling from 53 out of 100 in 2024 to 52 out of 100 in Freedom House’s 2025 assessment. The concerns include restrictive laws, arrests and prison sentences over online expression and regulation of online news media. CENSORSHIP AND REGULATION In May 2024, for instance, UCC ordered online media outlets to register within two months or face closure. Entities operating Facebook, TikTok and YouTube accounts were given five days to obtain authorisation or cease operations, on pain of enforcement action and prosecution for illegal broadcasting. The report also cites data showing that TikTok removed more than 1.5 million videos posted by Ugandan users between April and June 2025 over alleged violations of its community guidelines, including hate speech, misinformation and obscenity. Uganda ranked 29th globally in video removals during the period. DATA PROTECTION AND ONLINE SAFETY The report raises concerns about the effectiveness of Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO), saying local enforcement remains limited and the office lacks sufficient authority to impose administrative fines or award compensation to affected data subjects. The Electoral Commission, which collects and processes citizens’ personal information, was reportedly not registered with the PDPO until after the January 2026 elections. No political party registered with the office during the entire electoral cycle, despite actively collecting citizens’ data. Other entities, including SafeBoda, Uganda Securities Exchange and Soft Edge Uganda Limited, were cited in connection with data protection breaches, exposing weaknesses in third-party data governance and accountability. Online surveillance is another concern. A WOUGNET survey found that more than 81 per cent of women respondents had reason to believe their phone calls, messages, emails or social media accounts were being monitored or interfered with. The report also documents technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including non-consensual circulation of sexually explicit images, cyberstalking, sextortion, cyberbullying, doxing, deepfakes, impersonation and online grooming. Emerging artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being used to create non-consensual sexual deepfakes, harass activists and blackmail victims. During a stakeholder validation meeting, Rosemary Kemigisha of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) called for greater digital literacy, particularly among young people who access online platforms without fully understanding the potential consequences. She said the state had a responsibility to protect young people navigating digital spaces. Similarly, Moses Omar called for responsible use of digital devices and stronger protection of children from harmful online content, particularly on TikTok. RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACCOUNTABILITY On online gender-based violence, the report calls for accessible redress and reparations for victims, as well as mandatory gender-sensitive training for law enforcement officers, judicial officers and frontline responders. Asked about the consequences of Uganda failing to implement the recommendations, Peace Oliver Amuge, APC Africa regional strategy lead, said there might be no immediate legal penalties, financial sanctions or military action. However, she warned that repeatedly failing to implement recommendations would undermine Uganda’s lobbying efforts and diplomatic reputation on the international stage. Uganda will be expected to report on progress in implementing the recommendations at its next UPR review in four years. Patricia Ainembabazi of CIPESA cited Uganda’s unsuccessful lobbying efforts to have Dr Olara Otunnu appointed United Nations secretarygeneral, saying the country’s human rights record was repeatedly raised by critics and opponents, undermining his candidature. “Think of it as a naming and shaming, which no state really wants to be in it, because in the room, if you’ve seen those pictures of the Rotondo in Geneva, all permanent missions are represented, and Uganda wouldn’t want to be seen to be having the same issue raised back and forth,” Ainembabazi said.The post Uganda takes two steps forward, five steps back on digital rights appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.