Key media freedoms in Uganda

Uganda: Key media freedoms was -0.579 in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
-0.579
Change on year
unchanged
World rank
128th
of 175 countries
All-time high
0.643
in 1997
All-time low
-2.13
in 1972
Years of data
126
1900–2025

Key media freedoms in Uganda, 1900–2025

-2-101190019622025

Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for key media freedoms in Uganda is -0.579, measured in 2025.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Uganda peaked at 0.643 in 1997 and was at its lowest, -2.13, in 1972.

That places Uganda 128th out of 175 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1900s -1.07 -1.07 -1.07 10
1910s -1.07 -1.07 -1.07 10
1920s -1.07 -1.07 -1.07 10
1930s -1.07 -1.07 -1.07 10
1940s -1.09 -1.26 -1.07 10
1950s -1.26 -1.26 -1.26 10
1960s -0.5579 -1.26 -0.087 10
1970s -1.88 -2.13 -0.482 10
1980s -0.9106 -1.39 -0.193 10
1990s 0.4561 0.152 0.643 10
2000s -0.2588 -0.486 0.643 10
2010s -0.5043 -0.725 -0.159 10
2020s -0.609 -0.759 -0.579 6

Countries ranked near Uganda

  1. 125 Thailand -0.505 compare
  2. 126 Ukraine -0.51 compare
  3. 127 Slovenia -0.55 compare
  4. 129 Mexico -0.582 compare
  5. 130 Zimbabwe -0.654 compare
  6. 131 Jordan -0.74 compare

See the full ranking of 175 places →

More social development data for Uganda

All data for Uganda →

Frequently asked questions

What is key media freedoms in Uganda?
Key media freedoms in Uganda was -0.579 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Uganda?
The highest recorded value was 0.643 in 1997.
What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Uganda?
The lowest recorded value was -2.13 in 1972.
How does Uganda rank for key media freedoms?
Uganda ranks 128th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Uganda?
Over the last ten years it is up 10.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Uganda data come from?
The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

Download this data

CSV · JSON — 126 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).

About this data

Indicator
Key media freedoms
Source
V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
175 places, 21,793 data points, 1789–2025
Last refreshed

Central estimate of the extent to which the government directly or indirectly attempts to censor political content in print and broadcast media, through formal restrictions or indirect pressures such as financial control, licensing, or access to distribution channels.