Uganda’s unicameral Parliament adopted the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2015, in order to

Uganda’s unicameral Parliament adopted the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2015, in order to strengthen the existing law on terrorism and criminalise its financing. The controversial legislation was signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on 26 June 2015. It extended the definition of terrorism, which the opposition said was vague and open to abuse. The new legislation does this in part by expanding the definition of certain already criminalized acts. For instance, any “indirect” involvement in these acts, a term that it does not define, amounts to a commission of the same terrorist offense and is subject to the same penalties. In addition, it adds to the list of acts that amount to terrorism or related offenses, to include: interference with an electronic system resulting in the disruption of the provision of communication, financial, transport, or other essential or emergency services; any act prejudicial to national security or public safety; commission of an act of terrorism in foreign state; and unlawful possession of materials for promoting terrorism, such as audio or video tapes or written or electronic literature. One contentious clause gives the Inspector-General of Police powers to freeze bank accounts or seize property of people suspected of involvement in terrorism, including funding terror activities. This clause is feared could be used to curtail constitutionally allowed activities and flow of funds for the opposition. The legislation reduced penalties for certain terrorism offenses. While the same offense would, on conviction, be punishable by death if it results in the death of any person, in all other cases the applicable penalty would be life in prison.