Opposition brands Protection of Sovereignty Bill ‘redundant’ and unconstitutional
KAMPALA, April 27, 2026 — The Opposition has rejected the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, describing it as unnecessary, legally redundant and potentially harmful to Uganda’s democratic and economic environment.
The Leader of the Opposition [LoP], Joel Ssenyonyi, appearing before a joint committee scrutinising the Bill on Friday, said the proposed law duplicates provisions already contained in statutes such as the Penal Code Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Public Finance Management Act and the NGO Act.
“We have a plethora of laws that touch critical concerns that anyone would have; the Penal Code Act captures a number of those provisions, so it is redundant,” Ssenyonyi said.
He explained that crimes such as treason, illicit financial flows and unlawful foreign funding are already criminalised under existing frameworks.
“If a foreign embassy tries to fund a violent coup, the Penal Code Act already criminalises treason. If someone launders illicit foreign money, the Anti-Money Laundering Act already mandates declarations of source of funds,” he added.
Ssenyonyi warned that the Bill introduces harsh provisions that could negatively affect Uganda’s economy and civic space. He cited a clause capping foreign funding at Shs400 million, whereby receiving higher amounts without ministerial approval would attract penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
The LoP also raised concern over Clause 2[2], which criminalises influencing the public against government policy, arguing that it undermines the constitutional role of the Opposition.
Similarly, the Uganda People’s Congress [UPC], through its Secretary General Francis Ebil, called for the withdrawal of the Bill, describing it as unconstitutional.
“By reclassifying Ugandans as purely foreigners based on residence, the Bill is bypassing the 1995 Constitution, which guarantees that every person who was a citizen at the commencement of the Constitution remains a citizen,” Ebil said.
Ebil criticised the proposed penalties, including jail terms of up to 20 years and fines of up to Shs4 billion, saying they violate protections against cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.
He noted that definitions such as ‘economic sabotage’, ‘foreigner’ and ‘foreign agent’ should be clearly and precisely framed, warning they could be abused to suppress press freedom and free expression.
“A … journalist could be prosecuted for publishing an accurate report … if the report leads to a drop in company shares or investor confidence,” he cautioned.
The committee called for further engagement on the Bill rather than its outright rejection, with Bugabula County North Member of Parlaiment [MP], John Teira noting that it targets subversive activities against Uganda’s interests rather than applying broadly.
Kibale County MP Richard Oriebo maintained that consolidating sovereignty-related provisions into a single law could be more effective than amending multiple existing statutes.
https://thecooperator.news/sebei-stakeholders-reject-sovereignty-bill-call-for-wider-consultations/
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