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    Awareness Sessions on Freedom of Expression Held for Members of Parliament in Both Uganda and Tanzania

    Jul 06, 2023

    3 min read

    Access to Justice Human Rights Judicial System Strengthening Africa Tanzania Uganda
    Awareness Sessions on Freedom of Expression Held for Members of Parliament in Both Uganda and Tanzania

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    Under ABA ROLI’s flagship Promoting Freedom of Expression, Rule of Law and Access to Justice in Tanzania and Uganda program ABA ROLI has led a consortium of partners to promote freedom of expression (FOE) rights through an array of approaches and activities in Uganda and Tanzania. Under the program, ABA ROLI convened training workshops for Members of Parliament (MPs) on March 30 in Tanzania and May 25 in Uganda. The workshops were held to equip MPs in each respective country with increased knowledge of FOE rights and to discuss emerging issues concerning the exercise of FOE rights in Uganda and Tanzania. The two workshops additionally aimed to support the MPs in their capacity as lawmakers to address existing gaps in policy and law, ultimately aiming to foster a greater realization and enjoyment of FOE and related fundamental rights for citizens of both countries.

    The training workshops advanced the program’s goal through centering engagement with various and multi-level stakeholders in order to foster effective and sustainable outcomes. Launched in 2019, the project has employed several strategies to meet its objectives, including the use of strategic litigation to challenge problematic laws constraining civic space, capacity building of journalists, human rights defenders (HRDs) and judicial officers, providing urgent legal assistance to HRDs, advocacy and documentation work to promote enhanced protection of FOE, as well as working with universities and law schools in both countries to discuss education and emerging issues on FOE amongst others.

    Group photo of Members of Parliament in Kampala, Uganda

    Group photo of Members of Parliament in Kampala, Uganda

    Conducted on March 30, 2023, in the capital of Dodoma, the Tanzania MP training workshop covered topics such as, “The State of FOE in Tanzania: Past, Present and Future,” and “Legal and Policy Framework on FOE in Tanzania,” with a focus on the Media Services Act and its regulations. The presentations generated lively discussions among the MP participants on pertinent questions including the relationship between FOE and disinformation, related questions around journalistic standards, the influence of social media, and nuanced queries around types of potentially harmful speech online. At the end of the workshop key recommendations were raised, including the need to conduct training for government officials who are responsible for enforcing and upholding FOE laws and policy, as well as the need for increasing public awareness.

    The Uganda MP training workshop took place on May 25, 2023, in Kampala and was included a cross-section of MP participants drawn from the Ugandan Parliament’s Legal and Parliamentary Committee, Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Committee, and Human Rights Committee. The workshop covered the legal and policy framework on FOE at the regional, national, and international level. It included two presentations: 1) a synopsis of the current FOE context titled “Emerging trends, Prevailing issues & concerns on Freedom of Expression in Uganda” that covered disinformation, cyber-crimes, surveillance, and more; and 2) a presentation on “Related Legislative and Judicial Response and the Role of Parliamentary Actors in promoting Freedom of Expression.” Relevant issues discussed included how both new and old FOE trends are approached through debates regarding security, as well as the shrinking space for MPs to express their views, without repercussions, on ordinary discourse regarding matters of public concern. 

    The awareness and capacity-building sessions were greatly appreciated by the MPs, who recommended additional training sessions to inform their decision-making, particularly when engaging with the legislative process. While ABA ROLI’s Promoting Freedom of Expression, Rule of Law and Access to Justice in Tanzania and Uganda program closes this year, the relationships built with the MPs of both countries and the positive feedback received after the FOE trainings create the opportunity for future collaboration between ABA ROLI and government stakeholders in the region.

    The statements and analysis expressed in this paper are solely those of the authors. The Board of Governors of the American Bar Association (ABA) has neither reviewed nor sanctioned its contents. Accordingly, the views expressed herein should not be construed as representing the position or policy of the ABA. Furthermore, nothing contained in this paper is to be considered rendering legal advice for specific cases, and readers are responsible for obtaining such advice from their own legal counsel.