On behalf of the organizers of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). In 1993, The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 3rd May as World Press Freedom Day. This day has been celebrated worldwide for thelast 20 years or so particularly advocating and defending the fundamental principles of freedom of opinion and expression, and of the press.
In Uganda, the provisions that guarantee freedom of opinion and expression have been restated and domesticated under Article 29 of the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda and other subsequent legislations enacted by Parliament. These instruments provide a foundation for protecting everyone’s right to freedom of opinion and expression including the rights of professional journalists.
World Press Freedom Day therefore, offers all of us human rights defenders the opportunity to raise our voices to call for an environment where free speech, media freedoms and indeed media professionalism is the bedrock for democratic growth, progress and development in our country.
