Uganda's Sovereignty Bill Softened Amid Public Backlash

The Ugandan government has revised the controversial Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, in response to public outcry from civil society, academia, diaspora communities, and others.

Attorney General Hon. Kiryowa Kiwanuka presented the changes on April 30, 2026, before joint parliamentary committees on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Defence and Internal Affairs, joined by State Minister for Internal Affairs Hon. David Muhoozi.

A key deletion removes Ugandan citizens abroad from the ‘foreigner’ definition, which previously risked treating them as outsiders despite their remittances and investments. The new definition targets those engaging in prohibited activities under Section 2(2), including non-citizens, foreign governments, and international organizations.

The ‘agent of a foreigner’ clause was narrowed to focus on direct involvement in banned activities, eliminating broad terms like supervision or funding that could criminalize routine associations.

Other removals include ministerial powers to declare entities as foreigners or exempt funding, plus a provision listing employment or contracts promoting foreign interests as disruptive.

Definitions for ‘foreign policy’ and ‘government policy’ were refined, with the former now a policy by foreigners not adopted by Uganda.

MPs like Hon. Betty Nambooze noted the Bill’s rushed nature, while Hon. Stephen Baka Mugabi raised concerns about MPs receiving foreign election funds. Minister Muhoozi clarified citizenship offers no exemption from liability.

President Yoweri Museveni addressed public ‘noise’ on April 30, affirming the Bill aligns with his Cabinet initiation and won’t hinder remittances or investments.

The amended Bill is set for plenary debate on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.

Source: Parliament of Uganda