Policy Published: April 22, 2025

Supreme Court Ruling: Freedom of Assembly Protections Strengthened

Admin User

<p>In a landmark decision yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of protecting the right to peaceful assembly, striking down several restrictive regulations that had been used to prevent public gatherings.</p><p>The ruling establishes that:</p><ul><li>Police must provide specific, evidence-based reasons for denying permission for peaceful assemblies</li><li>Blanket bans on assemblies in certain areas are unconstitutional</li><li>Failure to notify authorities cannot be the sole reason for declaring an assembly unlawful</li><li>Law enforcement must facilitate rather than hinder peaceful assemblies</li></ul><p>This ruling sets an important precedent for freedom of assembly cases and strengthens protections for civil society organizations, activists, and community groups organizing peaceful demonstrations.</p><p>Our legal team is preparing detailed guidance on how this ruling can be used to protect your rights when organizing or participating in peaceful assemblies.</p>

Background

The information in this alert is based on ongoing monitoring of legal developments in Uganda and is designed to inform citizens of their rights and responsibilities.

What You Need to Know

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Recommended Actions

Based on this development, we recommend the following actions:

  1. Document any incidents related to this legal issue
  2. Contact legal aid if you believe your rights have been violated
  3. Stay informed about further developments through our platform

Legal References

This alert references the following legal frameworks:

  • Constitution of Uganda, Article 29
  • Human Rights Enforcement Act, 2019
  • African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights

Related Resources

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