Court fixes date for hearing case a gainst Gov’t over Internet shutdown

Unwanted Witness Uganda has sued Ugandan government and 8 Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for violating citizens’ right to freedom of speech and expression, the right to work, the right to livelihood and adequate standard of living when the respondents connived to shut down the Internet twice earlier this year.

In a law suit number 256 filed on 29^th September 2016 at Kampala high court civil division, the applicant seeks for court to pronounce that the respondents’ actions of shutting down the internet were illegal and issues a permanent injunction against the respondents.

On 17^th February 2016 as Ugandans went to the polls, the telecommunication regulator Uganda Communication Commission (UCC), directed all Internet Service Providers to block social media platforms and Mobile money services across the country for a period of 4days.

The move was again repeated between 11^th to 12^th as president Museveni was being inaugurated into office for his fifth term.

“We are very determined and focused, we hope that Ugandans will get justice in this case” said Wokulira Sebaggala executive director Unwanted witness.

The applicant is being represented by M/S Rwakafuuzi and Co. Advocates.