Shetechtive Uganda blog

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...

Uganda’s digital landscape has entered a defining moment. The Constitutional Court’s decision to declare the Computer Misuse Act null and void is not just a legal development. It is a turning point for how rights, freedoms, and responsibilities are understood in the digital age. For years, the law shaped how Ugandans interacted online. Its removal now opens both opportunities and questions that demand careful reflection. At its core, the Court found that Parliament enacted the law in a way that contravened the Constitution. This ruling goes beyond technical legalities. It reaffirms the principle that all laws, especially those regulating expression and technology, must align with constitutional protections such as freedom of expression, privacy, and due process. For a country where digital spaces are increasingly central to civic participation, this judgment carries deep significance. For ordinary Ugandans, the immediate impact is a shift in how online expression is treated. The...