The New Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026
This document provides a detailed summary and analysis of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026 as passed by the Parliament of Uganda at Third Reading on 5 May 2026. It explains that the Bill was heavily amended from its original version after widespread criticism from stakeholders including the World Bank Group, Bank of Uganda, civil society groups, and opposition MPs. The final version significantly narrowed the law’s scope by limiting it strictly to “agents of foreigners” rather than “any person,” removed controversial clauses such as classifying diaspora Ugandans as foreigners, warrantless inspections, and mandatory health examinations, and replaced the original ministerial approval system for foreign funding with a declaration regime. The Bill also introduced exemptions for financial institutions, academic bodies, faith organizations, humanitarian aid, remittances, foreign direct investment, and other lawful financial flows to address economic and constitutional concerns.
Despite these amendments, the report notes that the Bill remains controversial due to broad definitions of “political activities,” strict licensing requirements for agents of foreigners, and severe penalties for non-compliance, including imprisonment and heavy fines. Opposition MPs and several stakeholders argued that the Bill still threatens constitutional freedoms such as freedom of expression, association, and assembly, while also creating risks for investment, development financing, academic research, and civic participation. The document further highlights unresolved procedural disputes, especially claims that the scale of amendments effectively transformed the Bill into a completely new law that should have undergone fresh consultation and introduction. It concludes that although Parliament softened many of the most criticized provisions, significant legal and constitutional questions remain, and the Bill’s future depends on whether President Yoweri Museveni will assent to it, return it to Parliament, or allow further legal and political challenges to emerge.
APPRECIATION:
Whereas there are Still aspects of the Bill of the protection of Sovereignty which need consideration, the bill in its entirety as amended is also a new one – which is a great achievement of our efforts. We are very grateful to everyone who supported our cause. In the world so diverse we can not expect to have 100% consensus. We will continue advocating for a better UGANDA. Thank you everyone. Let us never get tired of doing what is good because that is where virtue resides! Gal. 6:9
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