Civic Actors Decry Escalating Threats to Human Rights Defenders

“We are not afraid,” one participant declared defiantly. “We will continue to speak, to organise, and to defend the space that belongs to all Ugandans.”

Uganda’s civic space is under siege, civic leaders have warned, raising alarm over a growing climate of fear, repression, and impunity targeting human rights defenders and civil society organisations.

The warning came during the launch of the Uganda Civic Space Index 2024, where rights advocates decried what they described as a campaign of harassment and criminalisation.

“We will not be silent on the threats rendered to human rights defenders,” said one civic actor at the event, underscoring the urgency of the moment.

The report, released by the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U), paints a grim picture of Uganda’s civil liberties landscape.

It names the Uganda Police Force as the leading violator of civic space, citing routine suppression of peaceful demonstrations and systematic targeting of dissenting voices.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) follow closely, accused of overstepping their constitutional mandate by cracking down on protests and intimidating activists.

During a roundtable convened at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, organised by the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), Executive Director Timothy Chemonges described the findings as evidence of a national crisis.

“We need to strengthen legal protections for civic actors and institutionalise regular, open dialogue between government and civil society organisations,” he said.

Chemonges emphasised that civic engagement should not be equated with political opposition.

“Human rights defenders are not enemies of the state. They are critical partners in strengthening democracy and accountability,” he added.

The 2024 Civic Space Index assesses 13 core dimensions of civic freedom, including freedom of expression, access to information, media rights, peaceful assembly, association, political participation, and the rule of law.

The findings indicate a sharp decline in these freedoms.

An alarming 83 percent of respondents believe Uganda is heading in the wrong direction with regard to human rights and the rule of law—up from 73 percent in 2022. Only 10 percent held a positive outlook, while 7 percent remained undecided.

Key concerns cited include restrictions on freedom of expression (27 percent), peaceful assembly (20 percent), and association (16 percent).

“These figures reflect a deeply entrenched sense of frustration,” said Robert Kirenga, Executive Director of NCHRD-U.

“But they also reflect the resilience of civil society. Despite the shrinking space, civic actors continue to push back, advocate, and inform.”

Kirenga called for a nationwide campaign to raise public awareness of civic rights.

“You cannot defend a right you don’t understand. The people must know what civic space means and why it matters to them,” he urged.

One of the most concerning trends highlighted in the index is the deterioration of media rights and press freedom, which are now classified as “restricted.” Journalists in Uganda continue to face physical threats, harassment, and destruction of their tools of trade, according to CEPA.

“There are significant challenges for journalists exercising their rights freely,” Chemonges said. “From intimidation to legal threats, the operational environment is becoming increasingly hostile.”

Robert Ssempala, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), echoed those concerns.

“Many journalists are self-censoring—not by choice, but out of fear. Every time they expose abuse or speak truth to power, they risk their lives and livelihoods.”

With the 2026 general elections drawing closer, civic actors fear the situation could deteriorate further if no urgent interventions are made.

Chemonges proposed the creation of a Civic Space Engagement Task Force, composed of government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners, to develop a roadmap for restoring trust and protecting freedoms.

The May 28 launch of the Civic Space Index was both a call to action and a warning. Uganda’s human rights community says it will not remain silent.

“Civic space is the cornerstone of democracy,” said one participant. “Its erosion threatens the very foundation of our nation.”