Know Your Rights 10: The right to free speech

Chapter 4 of the Constitution of Uganda, also known as The Bill of Rights, details the rights of all Ugandan citizens. Whether you are a person with a disability (PWD) or not, all these rights are yours.

Article 29 of the Constitution of Uganda says that because everyone is unique they have the right to hold any opinion, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and belief. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and expression.

If you are a PWD, freedom of speech means that everyone has the right to express their opinion. Your thoughts and words count just as much as anyone else. Freedom of speech is the right to express yourself, the right to say what you think.

Disability Art Project Uganda: Empowering 
people with disabilities to have attitudes of 
innovation, creativity and self confidence

The Constitution of Uganda details Article 29 like this:

29. Protection of freedom of conscience, expression, movement, religion, assembly and association.

(1) Every person shall have the right to—

(a) freedom of speech and expression which shall include freedom of the press and other media;

(b) freedom of thought, conscience and belief which shall include academic freedom in institutions of learning;

(c) freedom to practise any religion and manifest such practice which shall include the right to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious body or organisation in a manner consistent with this Constitution;

(d) freedom to assemble and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed and to petition; and

(e) freedom of association which shall include the freedom to form and join associations or unions, including trade unions and political and other civic organisations.

(2) Every Ugandan shall have the right—

(a) to move freely throughout Uganda and to reside and settle in any part of Uganda;

(b) to enter, leave and return to, Uganda; and

(c) to a passport or other travel document.