Uganda Parliament Passes Protection of Sovereignty Bill Amid Opposition Protests

Uganda’s Parliament passed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, during a chaotic Tuesday session marked by opposition frustration. Led by Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi, opposition lawmakers repeatedly raised procedural issues that were overlooked or unresolved.

Speaker Anita Among declared a free-sitting, drawing crowds of NRM MPs and absent ministers, which overflowed the chamber and forced latecomers to stand. Ssenyonyi tried to halt proceedings, claiming the bill differed from the prior version and relied on a leaked report, but Among defended its authenticity, citing her signature.

Joint committee co-chairperson Wilson Kajwengye presented the majority report endorsing the bill without interruption. However, Among limited the six minority reports to just 35 minutes total, sparking uproar. Shadow Constitutional Affairs Minister Jonathan Odur refused to share time, criticizing the co-chairs’ incompetence and intolerance, prompting Among to demand toned-down language and order parts expunged from the record.

Odur’s presentation was cut short, restricted to five minutes despite his 20+ page report. Other opposition figures like Wilfred Niwagaba, Gilbert Olanya, Abdallah Kiwanuka, Médard Sseggona, and Betty Nambooze faced similar curbs. Nambooze condemned the process, noting over 700 memoranda were received but only 57 reviewed, including one from Buganda Kingdom, and urged future parliaments to fare better.

Opposition microphones faced issues amid NRM interruptions and laughter, hindering their presentations. NUP officials later criticized the bill for granting excessive power to the Internal Affairs Minister and criminalizing democratic activities.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)