Minority Report by Hon Segoona dissenting from the majority decision on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026

This document is a Minority Report dissenting from the majority decision on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, arguing that the Bill is fundamentally flawed both procedurally and substantively. The minority highlights that the Bill was developed and processed with insufficient public consultation, violating constitutional principles that place sovereignty in the hands of the people. It notes that consultations were rushed, limited in scope, and largely ignored stakeholder input—despite overwhelming opposition from those consulted. The report further argues that the Bill misinterprets sovereignty by shifting it from citizens to the State, contrary to Article 1 of the Constitution, and that it is based on a flawed premise since existing laws already regulate foreign influence, civil society, and digital platforms.

Substantively, the report concludes that the Bill is unconstitutional, vague, economically dangerous, and excessively punitive. It details how the Bill infringes on multiple constitutional rights, including freedom of expression, association, equality, and privacy, while also introducing overly broad definitions that could criminalize ordinary professional, civic, and economic activities. The minority also criticizes the Bill’s defective Certificate of Financial Implications for failing to properly assess economic impact, warning of risks such as capital flight, disruption of remittances, financial sector instability, and reduced foreign investment. Additionally, the report points out that the Bill has been widely rejected by stakeholders and even disowned by the President, raising concerns about its legitimacy. Ultimately, the minority recommends that the Bill be rejected entirely, warning that its passage would harm Uganda’s democracy, economy, and constitutional order.

READ MORE: Dissent from the Decision of the Majority of the J_260505_152549