Electronic protests: Hacktivism as a form of protest in Uganda

In a number of reported incidents government ministry and agency websites in Uganda have been defaced as a form of protest in a phenomenon known as 'hacktivism'. The all-pervading digital age has affected virtually every facet of our lives and 'hacktivists' argue that this applies to the effective modes of protest available. Hacking and in effect hacktivism has been criminalised under the Computer Misuse Act 2011. This paper examines the viability of hacktivism as a legitimate form of protest in Uganda's legal regime, particularly under article 29 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, which guarantees freedom of expression.