Uganda’s Computer Misuse Law After the 2026 Constitutional Court Decision: What It Means for Freedom of Expression
Uganda’s digital rights landscape has entered a significant new phase following the Constitutional Court’s decision to nullify key provisions introduced through the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022. The decision, delivered in March 2026, has important implications for freedom of expression, journalism, access to information and the way online communication is regulated in Uganda. At the same time, recent efforts by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Judicial Training Institute to strengthen judicial understanding of digital evidence show that Uganda’s justice system is continuing to adapt to the growing complexity of digital communication and technology-related disputes. The Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament on 8 September 2022 and received presidential assent on 14 October 2022. The amendments subsequently became part of the Computer Misuse Act, 2023 Edition. Several of the amended provisions attracted concern from journalists, civil socie...