Robert Ssempala the Executive Director of the Human Rights Network for Journalists- Uganda (HRNJ) has called upon President Museveni not to sign the Computer Misuse Amendment Bill 2022 which was passed by Parliament on September 8.
Ssempala says a good law should always be seen to be fair and not discriminate, vengeful or oppressive to a group of people.
“The general feeling pertaining to this proposed amendment is that it seeks to target the free sharing of information plus press and media freedoms,” he said
Ssempala made these remarks while addressing Journalists at the HNRJ headquarters in Bukoto- Kampala on Friday.
On August 25, HRNJ-Uganda appeared before the Information and Communication Technology Committee of Parliament chaired by Hon. Moses Magogo to present views about this Bill but unfortunately, their views didn’t yield any good outcome as it was later passed in early September.
Ssempala also noted that though they are very well mindful of some spaces prone to misuse, this Amendment Bill was uncalled for because the already existing criminal laws can cure that.
Amongst the concerns of the Bill, HRNJ- Uganda raised to the president include Clause 2(a) which seeks to make unauthorized access to information (not defined) an offense that contradicts Article 29(1)(a) of the Uganda constitution that already protects the right to freedom of expression including that of the press and media.
Within this clause, HRNJ- Uganda argues that there is also a rise in the concept of citizen journalism in this country which has led to the successful prosecution of some criminal instances and creating forums where people directly interact with duty bearers.
HRNJ- Uganda has also raised a concern about clause 5 of the bill which creates an offense of sharing unsolicited information, citing that in an environment that respects the free sharing of information and ideas this practice will be affected severely.
The Journalists Human rights body also raised concern about clause 7 that creates a restriction on the holding of public office by any person convicted under this act noting that by doing this, it’s going far and beyond what the constitution envisaged.
Citing far-reaching implementations that are negative on freedom of speech and that of Journalists, HRNJ-Uganda with partners calls upon the President to completely reject and not ascend to this bill because it not only affects citizens but also castigates the credibility of parliament.
Confident Ssempala also vowed to run to Courts of law to challenge this bill in case it’s signed by the President in its current status as they have always done to previous controversial laws.
Human Rights Network for Journalists- Uganda (HRNJ) is a media rights organization that works to enhance media freedom and protection of journalists’ rights through building the capacities of journalists to effectively exercise their constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms in a more professional and secure manner.
