information and to discuss issues of interest to them. Unfortunately, such opportunities are limited to children in schools, especially those located in urban areas. 5.3 Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly (Article 8) Freedom of assembly is provided for in Article 29 of the Uganda Constitution. Government encourages co curricula activities in schools, which enable children to develop their capacity and enhance their character formation. Many schools have a number of clubs and associations to which membership is open to children. 5.4 Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion (Article 9) It is every person‟s right to belong to and profess any religion in the community with others that is consistent with the manner of the Constitution9. No specific reference is made to children, although there is freedom of worship and children in Uganda normally practice the religion of their parents. 5.5 Protection of Privacy (Article 10) The right to privacy of a person, home and other property is provided for in Article 27 of the Constitution. The Children Act provides for the child‟s right to privacy in judicial proceedings (Section 103). It emphasizes the need to respect the child‟s privacy to avoid potential harm that may be caused to the child by undue publicity. 5.6 Access to Appropriate Information Government has made efforts to increase the availability and access of information materials to children for academic instruction, general information and entertainment. It has approved the use of materials produced and published locally for the school curriculum which are more relevant, cheaper and accessible than the traditionally used books that were mainly imported from outside the country. National libraries exist at district headquarters, mainly of the older districts. Some of these are currently dysfunctional but rehabilitation is planned. The service is also only available to urban children, discriminating those who live in the rural areas. 5.7 Protection from Child abuse and Torture (Article 16) In line with Article 16 (2) of the Charter, Uganda has legal frameworks to protect children from torture and inhuman treatment. Article 24 of the Uganda Constitution provides that no person shall be subjected to any form of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The Children Act (Section 6) also provides for the protection of children from violence and abuse. This provision in the Penal Code applies to all persons and can be used to protect children. Awareness campaigns have been undertaken in the media to advocate against physical violence against children. The Ministry of Education and Sports, in conjunction with the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), a child rights NGO and other partners conducted a series of stakeholder consultative meetings in a bid to generate alternatives to corporal punishment as a means of disciplining children in Uganda. The Ministry of Education with support from UNICEF has drafted guidelines on alternative forms of disciplining. When cases of torture are brought to the attention of the authorities due process of law is applied. However, it should be noted that, it is often severe cases that are reported. Measures have also been developed to ensure physical and psychological recovery and reintegration of children who have been tortured. These include psycho-social services provided mainly by health care providers and community workers. Children 9 Articles 29 and 37 17