National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General David Rubongoya has said the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill has triggered rare national concern because of its wide-reaching implications on citizens, institutions, and the economy.
In a social media statement, Rubongoya argued that the bill has managed to unite different sectors of society not necessarily because it introduces unprecedented legal measures, but because of its potential impact on everyday life.
“The Sovereignty Bill has united all of us not just because it is a bad law… but because if passed, it would affect everyone directly,” Rubongoya said.
He warned that the proposed legislation could affect a broad range of actors, including religious institutions, universities, civil society organisations, political parties, businesses, government agencies and individual citizens who rely on financial support from abroad.
Rubongoya noted that many of these entities occasionally receive foreign funding for development, humanitarian work, education and institutional support, and could now face criminal liability under the proposed framework.
“Religious institutions, universities and other academic institutions, political parties, civil society organisations, the business community, some government agencies like UHRC, and individual citizens all hope to receive some ka money from abroad at some point, and they don't want to be criminalised for doing that,” he said.
The bill, which is still under parliamentary consideration, introduces restrictions on individuals and organisations described as “agents of foreigners,” including mandatory registration and reporting requirements for foreign funding.
It also proposes penalties for activities interpreted as undermining state interests.
However, Rubongoya said the bill should not be viewed in isolation, arguing that it is a symptom of a deeper governance problem.
“But this Bill is just a symptom. The root cause is bad governance—rigged elections, abuse of power, unchecked authority, the desire to control, and impunity,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as a culture of fragmented civic response, saying Ugandans often fail to collectively challenge governance failures.
“Our biggest undoing as the Ugandan citizenry is placing personal interest above the common good,” Rubongoya said, urging unity in confronting issues such as electoral malpractice, corruption, abductions and abuse of state power.
The statement comes as debate intensifies over the bill, which critics argue could significantly reshape Uganda’s civic and political space if enacted into law.