West Nile Leaders Warn Sovereignty Bill Threatens Refugee Welfare and Aid

Leaders from West Nile, a key refugee-hosting area in Uganda, have voiced strong opposition to the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026. They argue it could severely hamper efforts to address refugees’ needs in critical sectors like education, agriculture, and health.

Uganda currently shelters around 1.9 million refugees, mostly in West Nile, with local communities relying heavily on external funding for support programs. Critics fear that agencies dependent on such aid might shut down if the bill passes in its current form.

Koboko North MP Dr. Noah Musa highlighted the bill’s broad definition of ‘foreigners,’ which includes Ugandans abroad, potentially labeling remittances as foreign influence. He called for deferring it to the next parliament for stakeholder input, warning of damage to academia and the economy.

Koboko County MP James Baba echoed these concerns, noting the bill’s risks to external support in key areas. He advocated for a national referendum to gauge public opinion before enactment.

Local officials, including Arua City Clerk Kyansaku David and Koboko Mayor Sanya Kirk Fixer Wilson, emphasized threats to refugee programs in the region.

The bill mandates ministerial approval for foreign funding over 400 million shillings annually and imposes up to 20 years in prison for unapproved foreign-linked activities like economic sabotage.

President Museveni distanced himself from the controversy, stating on April 30, 2026, that the version he initiated would not block foreign direct investments, religious funding, or remittances—key to countering corruption.

Stakeholders demand revisions for clarity and to protect civil liberties.

Source: Daily Monitor