More than 130 musicians, writers and artists, together with many British and Ugandan members of parliament, have signed a petition calling on Uganda to drop plans for regulations that include vetting songs, videos and film scripts prior to their release. Musicians, producers, promoters, filmmakers and all other artists would also have to register with the government and obtain a licence that can be revoked for a range of violations.
CATEGORY: Africa

Ability to protest peacefully is a hallmark of a functioning democracy
Index on Censorship is alarmed by the increasing number of restrictions being placed on protests globally

Habari RDC: The only thing certain about the upcoming Congolese election is uncertainty
The Democratic Republic of Congo will go to the polls on 23 December to elect a successor to incumbent president Joseph Kabila, who has been in power since January 2001 when he inherited the position from his assassinated father

Ramón Nse Esono Ebale: Drawing to create change in Equatorial Guinea
Ramón Nse Esono Ebale draws out of a desire to create a world that is different from the one he can see with his eyes. It was that desire that led to his arrest and detention in September 2017.

Project Exile: Zimbabwean broadcaster grapples with post-Mugabe era
“The question is now, under the change of government, would I be welcome? I’m still being outspoken about what I think.”

Smockey: Burkinabe rapper and activist on European tour despite years of censorship
On 3 March in Belfort, France, Burkinabe rapper and activist Smockey began a two-month long European tour, despite having his studio destroyed twice in recent years

Charges dropped against cartoonist Ramón Esono Ebalé
Index on Censorship welcomes the news that charges against cartoonist Nsé Ramón Esono Ebalé have been dropped.

Equatorial Guinea: Trial set for imprisoned artist
The trial of an artist on dubious counterfeiting charges

Tortured in Cameroon, reporter found asylum in Scotland
Charles Atangana knows as well as anyone the challenges of being a journalist in Cameroon.

Release artist and writer Ramón Esono Ebalé
Index on Censorship has joined with 18 other parties to call on the president of Equatorial Guinea to release cartoonist Ramón Esono Ebalé.
Freedom of expression in Africa. Index on Censorship covers free speech, freedom of religion, artistic freedom on the continent of Africa.