The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and stipulates there shall be no state religion. It provides for freedom of belief, the right to practice and promote any religion, and to belong to and participate in the practices of any religious organization in a manner consistent with the constitution. The government requires religious groups to register. The government restricted activities of religious groups it defined as “cults” and arrested some members who refused to participate, due to religious reasons, in government immunization drives. Local media reported that the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MOIA) Executive Office’s Religious Affairs Department Director, Reverend Aaron Mwesigye, said the government intended to increase regulation of the activities of faith-based organizations to make them more accountable and transparent. The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) said the government continued to discriminate against Muslims when hiring senior and lower-level officials.
The High Court acquitted 14 individuals in the killing of nine Muslim leaders between 2012 and 2015 but convicted six of the defendants of terrorism.
The embassy brought together religious leaders to promote religious tolerance and diversity. The Ambassador issued Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr messages on social media platforms promoting religious tolerance.