Former Aruu County Member of Parliament Odonga Otto has called for the shelving of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026, arguing that the current parliamentary process is “late, exhausted, and lacking sufficient consultation” to deliver sound legislation.
Speaking during an interview on Next Radio on Saturday, Otto also weighed in on President Yoweri Museveni’s recent communication regarding the Bill, interpreting it as a rare concession to public pressure.
“Reading President Museveni’s letter on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026; I think he has conceded to the public outcry and to me it is a strength and not a weakness,” Otto said, suggesting that the Head of State’s position reflected responsiveness rather than political retreat.
Otto further singled out the role of the Governor of the Bank of Uganda, praising what he described as a decisive intervention in parliamentary discussions that heightened scrutiny around the Bill.
“The Governor of the Bank of Uganda did a commendable job; actually, that was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, following his submission to Parliament on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026,” he noted.
The former legislator, known for his outspoken positions on governance and accountability, said the legislative process had been overtaken by events and should be paused to allow broader national engagement.
“My advice to government is that they should shelf this bill. This 11th parliament is a bit late and spent to proceed with it. Uganda is not ending tomorrow, we need more comprehensive consultation with the Sovereignty Bill,” Otto said.
His remarks come at a time when the Bill has sparked heated debate among political actors, legal experts, and civil society groups, with concerns focusing on its scope, intent, and potential implications on governance and accountability structures.
Otto also raised serious concerns about what he described as inconsistencies between the President’s intentions and the version of the
Bill currently under parliamentary review. He warned that such discrepancies could point to unauthorized alterations during the drafting or committee stages.
“This bill, what the President intended is not what is before the parliamentary committee. This is treason. Someone added their own ‘things’ into the sovereignty bill. Someone should be held accountable,” he said.
The former MP’s strong language is likely to fuel further debate over the legislative integrity of the Bill, especially amid growing scrutiny over how key policy proposals are shaped before reaching the final vote in Parliament.
Beyond procedural concerns, Otto also shifted attention to what he believes should be the real focus of the legislation—financial accountability among senior government officials and the use of public funds.
“The Sovereignty Bill should address ministers who take Uganda’s money and acquire properties abroad. I know ministers who own properties in London and the USA. They take our money and go build in foreign countries. The bill should address that,” he said.
His comments reflect long-standing public debate in Uganda over asset declarations, corruption, and wealth accumulation among public officials, issues that have frequently drawn attention from anti-corruption agencies and oversight bodies.
The Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 remains under parliamentary consideration, with discussions expected to continue amid divided opinion on its scope and necessity