Fact Checking President Musevenis claim: Uganda is more democratic than most European countries
During the Women’s Day celebrations in Uganda on March 8th 2025, President Yoweri Museveni in his remarks thanked the Swedish Ambassador to Uganda Maria Håkansson for her honesty in stating that Uganda is more democratic than many European countries.
Analysis
According to Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index Uganda ranks 128/180 highlighting significant challenges for independent journalism. The ranking reflects increasing restrictions, harassment of reporters, and government influence over media. As press freedom declines, safeguarding journalists and protecting the public’s right to information remains crucial.
In contrast, Sweden, ranked among the top countries, benefits from strong legal protections, minimal government interference, and a culture that upholds press freedom.
Cross comparison with other European countries.
Uganda’s 128/180 ranking in the 2024 Press Freedom Index places it significantly behind European countries, most of which dominate the top spots. For example, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden consistently rank in the top five, benefiting from strong legal frameworks, press protections, and minimal state interference. In contrast, Uganda faces censorship, intimidation of journalists, and restrictive media laws, which contribute to its lower ranking. Even in Eastern Europe, where press freedom is more varied, countries like Poland (57) and Hungary (67) still rank far above Uganda. This stark gap underscores the pressing need for greater media freedoms and protections to ensure independent journalism can thrive in Uganda.
Verdict
Based on the information provided from the Press Freedom performance index, it isn’t entirely true or accurate that Uganda enjoys more democracy than most European countries.
