Media: According to the US Department of State 2009, although the constitution provides for the freedom of speech and of the press, the government at times restricts these rights, and the law criminalises offences by the media and limits the media's ability to function. In addition, the government continues to harass journalists, and its application of several repressive laws to control the media has led to widespread self-censorship, as reported by the US Department of State 2009. Nonetheless, according to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, it is relatively common to have critical public discussions and statements in both print and electronic media. The Ugandan government from time to time makes an effort to crack down on these critical voices, but have been unable to do so. In 2005, the government passed an Access to Information Act, which strengthened press freedom and reinforced existing anti-corruption legislation. According to Freedom House Freedom of the Press 2010, Uganda is one of a few countries in Africa that has this law. Furthermore, several sources indicate that the media in Uganda are relatively free and play an important role in exposing corruption, as cases involving senior members of government are frequently reported by the media. Reporters Without Borders characterises Uganda's written press as pluralistic and serious in its Annual Report 2006. The airwaves were liberalised in the 1990s and since then, Uganda's press and radio have displayed their independence. This has largely allowed some private FM radio shows to openly discuss sensitive issues in relation to the government. However, according to a 2009 article by Reporters Without Borders, 4 radio stations were ordered to shut down and the government has also banned live debate programmes on the ground that they were not able to control their content. Reporters Without Borders 2010 ranks Uganda 96th out of 178 countries, while Freedom House 2010 ranks the country 114th out of 196 countries and describes its press environment as 'partly free'.

Civil Society: Civil society is quite vibrant in Uganda and, according to Freedom House 2010, it takes active part in testifying on legislation before Parliament and frequently campaigns to influence government policy. NGOs are generally ready to address politically sensitive issues, although they are vulnerable to legal restrictions, including the manipulation of registration requirements. According to the Bertelsmann Foundation 2010, opposition groupings and NGOs are allowed to operate freely, but they are subject to adherence to legal provisions that can easily be interpreted by state authorities in such a way that group activities are considered detrimental to the interests and security of the state. Global Integrity 2009 also states that the US and Uganda have signed an USD 10.4 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold agreement in 2007, aiming at reducing the level of corruption in the country. One focus in this agreement was to strengthen the role of civil society. These measurements, according to the MCC Uganda, are to provide technological, equipment and logistical support to the Inter Agency Forum, as well as to provide legal aid for corruption-related victims and much more.

Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU): The ACCU is an umbrella group of more than 70 civil society organisations seeking to curb corruption in Uganda in order to contribute to poverty reduction. The ACCU organises an anti-corruption week every year in December, the purpose of which is to mobilise civil society in the fight against corruption. In the autumn of 2008, the coalition started the Book of Name and Shame where public servants who are caught in corruption practices and convicted will be named. According to the US Department of State 2009, some ACCU members were harassed by security services at the end of 2009, following publication of a booklet detailing survey results on local perceptions of government corruption.

Transparency International Uganda (TI Uganda): TI Uganda undertakes advocacy work on anti-corruption laws, holds workshops, and arranges campaigns, seminars and events. While it seeks to influence government to take further steps in the fight against corruption, it also works to raise public awareness about the negative consequences of corruption.

Uganda Debt Network (UDN): The UDN is an advocacy and lobbying coalition of NGOs, institutions and individuals that actively engage in anti-corruption lobbying activities. The UDN was formed in 1996 as a result of civil society concerns with the social economic development of the country due to the unsustainable level of Uganda's debt burden. The UDN has established close working relationships with other civil society organisations and institutions at all levels of society and now has over 100 members.

African Parliamentarians Network against Corruption (APNAC) Uganda: APNAC Uganda was established in 2000 as one of the first country partners in the network. The chapter is active in advocacy and networking within and outside of Parliament on corruption issues and, in particular, in sensitising the public on the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (ACPCC). The APNAC Uganda Chapter, together with the Transparency International Uganda, has completed a pilot project on the domestication of the ACPCC.

Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda (ICGU): The ICGU has developed guidelines with minimum standards for corporate governance. The guidelines are based on both the OECD and the CACG standards. The institute conducts workshops and gives lectures on, for example, corporate social responsibility and corporate fraud. The ICGU's membership is composed of more than 20 corporate entities. The ICGU was initially promoted by the government as part of a reform and divestiture programme aimed at improving accountability within the public enterprise sector, and has since evolved into a private sector institution. The ICGU contributed to the development and review of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Uganda Country Self-Assessment Report 2008 under the corporate governance pillar.