As Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections, opposition‑aligned musicians are being drawn into an intensifying crackdown marked by arbitrary arrests, house‑arrest‑style sieges and shootings at rallies. From repeated cordons around Bobi Wine’s home to the arrest of Nubian Li and the shooting of Omukunja Atasera, the state is treating music as a security threat rather than a space for artistic expression
The UN’s OHCHR is calling on individuals, experts, and organizations to share experiences promoting human rights and cultural diversity. Submissions will help inform a 2025 UN General Assembly report on implementing Resolution A/RES/78/201. Topics include inclusive institutions, freedom of expression, and cultural policy. Submit by 11 July 2025 and help ensure diverse voices are heard in shaping international policy. Full details on the OHCHR website.
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I work carefully and imperceptibly below the surface when it comes to freedom of artistic expression. Deep down I stand by those who want to break it but remind them of realities above the surface. At the same time, the water becomes shallower. This is my duty as a producer.
(Faisal Kiwewa, Bayimba, Uganda.)
