We welcome the ruling by the Constitutional Court of Uganda that the wide discretionary powers that had been granted to the police to stop or prevent public meetings are unconstitutional.

The ruling, which the Court issued on Thursday, relates to Uganda's Public Order Management Act 2013.

Uganda's Human Rights Network had brought a case against the Attorney General challenging Section 8 of this Act under which police enjoyed wide-ranging powers to shut down any meetings that they deemed to be in violation of public order.

The Court's decision is a hugely positive development. It is consistent with Uganda's obligations under international law to allow citizens to fully enjoy their fundamental freedoms.

ENDS