By Mulengera Reporter
The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has issued a strong public warning following the dramatic nullification of key provisions of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, 2022, cautioning Ugandans against exploiting the ruling to justify irresponsible online behavior.
In a public advisory released on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the regulator said it had noted a surge in questionable activity across social media and other digital platforms, with some users wrongly interpreting the Constitutional Court’s decision as a complete removal of legal controls over online conduct.
“The Uganda Communications Commission wishes to clarify that the recent court ruling does not imply the absence of laws governing the use of computer systems,” the statement emphasized, pushing back against what it described as a growing wave of misinformation.
The warning follows a landmark March 17 ruling in which a five-judge panel of the Constitutional Court unanimously struck down several sections of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act. The court found that the provisions were unconstitutional, citing their vague wording, excessive scope, and high potential for abuse.
In the lead judgment, Justice Irene Mulyagonja declared multiple sections of the law null and void, noting that they unfairly criminalized legitimate expression by penalizing loosely defined actions such as sharing content deemed to “ridicule,” “demean,” or “promote hostility.”
The court also took issue with provisions targeting anonymous communication and unsolicited content, ruling that their lack of clear definitions created room for arbitrary enforcement.
Beyond the substance of the law, judges pointed to a critical procedural flaw in its passage. Evidence presented before the court showed that Parliament passed the amendments without verifying the required quorum, rendering the entire Act invalid.
The ruling further struck down criminal libel provisions under the Penal Code Act, reinforcing the court’s position that such laws are incompatible with constitutional guarantees on freedom of expression and access to information.
Despite the sweeping judgment, the UCC stressed that the legal framework governing digital conduct remains firmly in place. It highlighted that key provisions of the original Computer Misuse Act are still operational, including those addressing cyber harassment, cyberstalking, and electronic fraud.
The Commission also pointed to other laws—such as the Uganda Communications Act, the Data Protection and Privacy Act, and the Children’s Act—as continuing pillars in regulating online activity and protecting users’ rights.
Legal analysts say the court’s decision could trigger significant consequences, including possible challenges to past convictions secured under the now-invalidated provisions—many of which had been used against journalists, activists, and young people.
Even so, the UCC is urging the public not to test the limits of the law.
“Let us use technology to advance our socio-economic wellbeing and not to harm others, violate their rights, or undermine the peace and security of our country,” the Commission said.
It also called on citizens to report cases of digital abuse to the UCC or the Uganda Police Force, underscoring that maintaining a safe and respectful online environment remains a shared responsibility.
As Uganda adjusts to the fallout of the court’s decision, the message from regulators is clear: while the law has changed, accountability in the digital space has not. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
