News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchUganda’s artistic community has faced increasing censorship under President Yoweri Museveni’s decades-long rule. From music and theatre to literature, comedy, and digital platforms, the government has systematically suppressed creative expression, using both legal frameworks and extra-legal intimidation to silence dissent. This article explores the most recent instances of censorship and the broader impact on Uganda’s creative industries.
Music: Targeted Bans and Concert Crackdowns
The music industry has been a key target for government suppression, especially for artists who use their craft to challenge the regime. Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi), a musician-turned-opposition leader, has faced extensive censorship since entering politics. Between 2017 and 2020, police blocked 156 of his concerts, including a 2019 Independence Day event at Busabala Beach, despite court orders declaring such bans illegal [1]. His politically charged songs, such as Tuliyambala, remain unofficially banned from radio and television stations, with broadcasters facing intimidation for airing his work [1].
In December 2024, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) banned several songs by Gravity Omutujju and Lil Pazo, labeling them “vulgar” and harmful to cultural values. The directive threatened broadcasters with sanctions if they aired these tracks, reflecting the state’s broader efforts to sanitize content deemed critical or indecent [2].
Theatre and Film: Suppressing LGBTQ+ Narratives
Stage plays and films have also been heavily censored, particularly those addressing LGBTQ+ themes. In 2012, the Media Council banned The River and the Mountain, a play exploring homosexuality, leading to the arrest and deportation of its British producer, David Cecil [3]. This marked a turning point in Uganda’s censorship of queer narratives in art.
The passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023 further entrenched this suppression by criminalizing the “promotion” of LGBTQ+ themes in all forms of media and art. The law mandates up to 20 years imprisonment for violators, forcing publishers, playwrights, and filmmakers to avoid queer topics entirely [4]. Even festivals like the Kampala International Theatre Festival have faced threats of closure for failing to classify plays under strict government guidelines.
Literature: Silencing Critical Voices
Uganda’s literary scene has not been spared from state repression. Writers like Stella Nyanzi, who was jailed in 2019 for a poem criticizing Museveni, and Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who fled Uganda in 2022 after being tortured for his satirical novel The Greedy Barbarian, exemplify the risks faced by outspoken authors [7][8]. The Anti-Homosexuality Act has also impacted literature by erasing LGBTQ+ narratives from public discourse. Publishers now avoid queer themes entirely to evade prosecution [4].
Comedy: Satire Under Siege
Stand-up comedy has emerged as another battleground for free expression in Uganda. The Bizonto Comedy Group—comprising Julius Sserwanja (Kidomoole), Mbabaali Maliseeri (Uncle Luyuguumo), Gold Ki Matono (Opeto), and Sssaabakaaki Peter (Omuzinyuuzi)—has faced repeated arrests for its biting satire on Ugandan politics [5]. In July 2020, the group was arrested after releasing a viral skit titled Who Are Our Leaders? which humorously critiqued the dominance of individuals from western Uganda in key government positions [5]. Charged under Section 41 of Uganda’s Penal Code—which carries up to five years imprisonment—the comedians were briefly held before being granted bail.
They were re-arrested in March 2021 after releasing another satirical skit addressing issues such as poverty, insecurity, election malpractice, and land ownership. Although their case was dismissed in 2022 due to insufficient evidence, Bizonto remains under government scrutiny [5]. Despite these challenges, they continue performing “coded” satire that resonates deeply with audiences across generations.
Digital Platforms: TikTok Creators Targeted
Social media platforms like TikTok have become critical spaces for dissent but are increasingly monitored by authorities. Between July and November 2024, several creators were arrested under colonial-era laws and the Computer Misuse Act (2022) for posting satirical or critical content about Museveni’s family [6][7]. Among them were Edward Awebwa, sentenced to six years in July 2024 for posts mocking Museveni’s son; Emmanuel Nabugodi, sentenced to 32 months in November 2024 for a satirical video depicting a mock trial of Museveni; and creators like David Ssengozi (Lucky Choice) arrested later that month for “hate speech” [6][7]. These cases highlight how outdated laws are weaponized to suppress digital dissent.
Legal Framework: Tools of Suppression
Uganda’s legal system provides mechanisms that enable censorship across all artistic fields. The constitution guarantees freedom of expression under Article 29 but allows restrictions under Article 43 when deemed necessary for public morality or public interest [1][4]. The Uganda Communications Act (2013) empowers the UCC to regulate content deemed harmful or offensive [2], while the Stage Plays Act mandates pre-approval of scripts before performances [3].
The passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023 criminalized LGBTQ+ themes across all art forms [4], while amendments to the Computer Misuse Act in 2022 expanded penalties for online “ridicule” or criticism of public figures [8]. A proposed law targeting “noise pollution” at live events threatens further suppression of rallies disguised as artistic performances.
Economic and Social Impacts
Artists face significant economic barriers due to censorship and state interference. Over 70% work without formal contracts, while rampant piracy limits their earnings further. Heavy taxation on creative goods forces many artists into precarious financial situations or reliance on political patronage [8]. Social impacts are equally severe: self-censorship is widespread due to fear of retaliation, while sexual harassment within creative industries remains largely unaddressed despite being reported by over 96% of artists surveyed. Despite this repression, figures like novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija continue risking imprisonment to document state brutality [7]. See figures
Safeguarding artistic freedom
Despite relentless persecution, Uganda’s artists continue challenging authoritarianism through their craft. From Bobi Wine’s global collaborations circumventing local bans to TikTok creators archiving state violence online and Bizonto comedians provoking thought through coded satire, creativity persists as a form of resistance against oppression. Advocacy from international organizations remains crucial to amplifying these struggles and safeguarding artistic freedom in Uganda—a powerful reminder that art can thrive even under the harshest conditions.
Citations:[1] https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_uganda-police-block-bobi-wine-concert/6177338.html[2] https://minbane.wordpress.com/2024/12/13/https-wp-me-p1xtjg-r5a/[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cecil_(producer)[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Homosexuality_Act,_2023[5] https://www.nhimbe.org/artistic-freedom/spotlight-bizonto-comedy-group-satire-censorship-and-artistic-freedom-uganda[6] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7njyyvwn5o[7] https://weetracker.com/2024/07/12/uganda-govt-jails-tiktoker/[8] http://www.vanguardafrica.com/africawatch/2022/9/26/more-silencing-of-dissent-in-uganda-analysis-of-the-computer-misuse-amendment-bill
