A Joint Press Statement by Ugandan Citizens on The Protection Of Sovereignty Bill, 2026

The document is a joint Ugandan citizens’ call to oppose the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, which threatens constitutional rights, democratic governance, and economic stability. ​

Overview The bill, presented as a safeguard against foreign interference, is criticized as an overreach that undermines constitutional protections, concentrates power, and risks authoritarianism, while failing to address genuine legal gaps. ​

Main Concerns The bill redefines citizenship to exclude the diaspora, effectively stripping millions of their rights and contradicting existing laws. ​ It grants the Minister for Internal Affairs unchecked authority to create criminal offenses and amend penalties without parliamentary oversight, undermining constitutional checks.

It authorizes warrantless inspections of private premises, including homes and religious institutions, infringing on privacy rights. ​ The bill criminalizes foreign funding and joint ventures, labeling them as foreign agent activities, which could stifle business, innovation, and cultural expression. ​ It targets artists, creatives, faith-based groups, and civil society by threatening jail, fines, and loss of citizenship for engaging in international collaborations or receiving foreign support. ​

The legislation also impacts key sectors: diaspora remittances, vital for Uganda’s economy, could be criminalized; foreign direct investment and banking activities face bureaucratic hurdles, discouraging investment; and government revenue may decline as the bill discourages foreign aid and investment, while increasing domestic tax burdens. ​

International cooperation is threatened, as aid and development partnerships could collapse under the oppressive legal framework. ​ The bill’s punitive penalties are disproportionate, resembling repressive models from Russia and Nicaragua, risking aid withdrawal and economic decline.

Call to Action ​ Citizens demand the immediate withdrawal of the bill, urging Parliament to reject legislation that criminalizes remittances and civil liberties. They call on media to inform the public, diaspora to advocate internationally, private sector to oppose the bill’s economic risks, and development partners to reassess aid. Citizens are encouraged to organize locally to protect constitutional rights and national stability.

Conclusion The bill aims to dismantle constitutional safeguards, centralize power, and threaten Uganda’s democratic fabric. ​ Despite claims of protecting sovereignty, it relies on foreign aid and diaspora support, which it seeks to criminalize. ​ The document emphasizes that Uganda’s sovereignty belongs to its people, not unchecked state agencies, and calls for collective rejection of the bill to preserve democracy and stability.

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