Dissenting report by Gilbert Olanya on the Protection of the Sovereignty Bill 2026

This document is a dissenting report by Gilbert Olanya opposing the majority position on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026. While acknowledging the importance of protecting Uganda’s sovereignty, the minority argues that the Bill is fundamentally flawed in its current form. It highlights major concerns such as vague and inconsistent definitions—especially around terms like “foreigner” and “foreign policy”—which undermine legal certainty. The report also criticizes the Bill for introducing an overly harsh and disproportionate penalty regime, where serious criminal sanctions are applied uniformly across different offences, creating risks of arbitrary enforcement and violating principles of fairness and proportionality.

The dissent further emphasizes that the Bill threatens constitutional freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and civic participation, by potentially criminalizing legitimate public engagement and policy advocacy. It also notes that the Bill duplicates existing laws, creating regulatory confusion and unnecessary compliance burdens, while lacking clear implementation and transition provisions. Additionally, the accompanying Certificate of Financial Implications is deemed defective for failing to properly assess economic costs and impacts, including risks to investment and financial stability. Overall, the minority recommends that the Bill be withdrawn and comprehensively redrafted, with clearer provisions, proper economic analysis, and broader stakeholder consultation before reconsideration.

READ MORE: Dissent from the Decision of the Majority of the Joint Committee on Legal &Parliamentary Affairs and the Committee on Defense-Gilbert Olanya