Eddie Kwizera. Photo/Courtesy
Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament Eddie Kwizera has criticised the proposed Protection of the Sovereignty Bill 2026, arguing that its timing and formulation are not suitable for sound lawmaking.
Speaking during an interview at Next Radio on Saturday, April 2, Kwizera said Parliament has a constitutional duty to enact laws that promote peace, development, and national prosperity, but warned that the current bill falls short of that standard.
“The timing of the Protection of the Sovereignty Bill 2026 doesn’t facilitate the making of good law yet Parliament is supposed to make good law for peace, development and prosperity,” Kwizera said.
Kwizera further cautioned that rushed legislative processes often lead to weak or impractical laws that fail to address the realities on the ground.
He emphasised the need for wider consultation, technical input, and proper scrutiny before Parliament considers such a significant proposal.
He also criticised the individuals behind the draft bill, saying they appeared to lack a proper understanding of public governance systems.
According to him, government programmes and activities are implemented through established public policy frameworks, which must be respected in any legislative process.
“The people who formulated the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 are not well informed about public governance. Government programs and activities are implemented through public policy,” he noted.
Kwizera further raised concern over what he termed a conceptual confusion in the draft law, arguing that its authors failed to clearly distinguish between different dimensions of sovereignty.
“The people who formulated the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 failed to distinguish between the sovereignty of the people and that of the State,” he said.
He warned that such a misunderstanding could create legal ambiguity and governance challenges if the bill is passed in its current form.
Kwizera concluded by calling for the withdrawal of the proposed legislation to allow for further consultation and technical refinement.
He also stressed the need to properly evaluate its financial implications and ensure full compliance with the Constitution of Uganda.
“This Sovereignty Bill should be withdrawn to allow for further consultation and to ensure that its financial implications are properly aligned, and in accordance with the Constitution of Uganda,” he said.
He urged Parliament to prioritise constitutional fidelity and public participation in lawmaking, warning that sovereignty-related legislation requires heightened caution due to its national significance.