ICT and National Guidance Minister Chris Baryomunsi has defended the proposed Sovereignty Bill, describing the ongoing parliamentary process as a normal and healthy part of law-making while emphasizing that the legislation is aimed at protecting the decision-making power of Ugandans.
Speaking during an appearance on NBS Television on Thursday night, Baryomunsi said criticism surrounding the bill reflects a misunderstanding of how legislation is developed and the purpose it is intended to serve.
“A bill, by definition, is a proposed law. What is happening right now is healthy,” Baryomunsi said, adding that the current discussions in Parliament should be seen as part of democratic processes rather than controversy.
He explained that Members of Parliament affiliated with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) had already engaged in internal consultations before the bill was formally presented to the House.
“MPs who subscribe to NRM discussed the Sovereignty Bill, and we cleared the minister to present it to Parliament,” he said, noting that the executive and party structures had followed due procedure before advancing the proposal.
According to the minister, the bill is currently at committee level, where lawmakers are engaging stakeholders and receiving submissions from different sectors of society.
He stressed that this stage is essential in shaping legislation that reflects national interests.
“The Committee is now listening to all concerned parties to get their views. That’s how legislation happens,” Baryomunsi stated, defending Parliament’s role in reviewing and refining proposed laws before they are passed.
The minister strongly backed the substance of the bill, arguing that it centers on the concept of national sovereignty and the ability of citizens to make independent decisions without undue external influence.
“This bill is good. We are talking about the sovereignty of Ugandans. Uganda is not trees, it’s Ugandans,” he said, emphasizing that sovereignty should be understood in human and civic terms rather than territorial symbolism.
He further defined sovereignty as the collective power of Ugandans to determine their political, economic, and social direction.
“Sovereignty is the power we should have as Ugandans to make decisions for ourselves,” Baryomunsi said, framing the bill as a safeguard for national autonomy.
Addressing broader concerns about whether such legislation is necessary, the minister argued that protecting sovereignty remains a fundamental responsibility of the state.
“Is there a need to protect the sovereignty of Ugandans? My answer would be yes,” he stated firmly.
The Sovereignty Bill has sparked debate among legal experts, opposition figures, and civil society actors, with critics questioning its scope and implications for governance and constitutional interpretation.