Parliament Buildings
The Parliament on Tuesday passed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, following a tense sitting conducted under heavy security.
The law, which the government says is meant to protect the country from foreign interference, has drawn strong criticism from opposition leaders and political observers.
The House adopted a joint committee report before proceeding to a clause-by-clause review and eventually passing the Bill at its third reading.
Speaker Anita Among confirmed that the required quorum had been met, allowing proceedings to continue despite protests from opposition MPs who objected to the pace of the process and limited debate.
Several controversial provisions were dropped or amended after public pressure. Lawmakers removed a clause that would have classified Ugandans in the diaspora as foreigners and instead narrowed the focus to individuals described as “agents of foreign interests.”
The final version also includes safeguards stating that it will not affect legitimate financial flows such as foreign direct investment, remittances, loans, grants, or humanitarian assistance.
Even with these changes, the Bill has triggered fresh political debate. Political analyst David Soita Masinde argues that its impact goes beyond national security concerns, pointing instead to its potential effect on political competition.
“Sovereignty isn't just about borders; it’s about who controls the bank accounts of the opposition,” Masinde said, suggesting the law could shift attention toward financial compliance within opposition groups.
He described the legislation as a sign of growing unease within the ruling establishment.
According to him, the focus is no longer just on managing dissent but preventing it before it takes shape.
Masinde linked the development to internal political dynamics, including the Speakership contest that brought Anita Among to the helm.
He argued that the outcome reflected a broader shift in governance style.
“The state is no longer satisfied with mere compliance; it demands preventative legislation,” he said, adding that the approach could limit the space for political engagement by placing greater scrutiny on funding.
The Bill now awaits presidential assent. Its implementation is expected to shape Uganda’s political environment, particularly in how parties and organisations access and manage funding.