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By Spy Uganda
The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has petitioned President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to withhold assent to the controversial Sovereignty Protection Bill 2026, warning that the legislation could damage Uganda’s economy, weaken democratic freedoms, and deepen the country’s isolation from the international community.
The bill, passed by Parliament on May 5, 2026, is intended to shield Uganda from what government supporters describe as increasing foreign interference in domestic affairs. However, critics argue that the law’s sweeping provisions could have far-reaching consequences for civil liberties, foreign investment, and Uganda’s diplomatic relations.
In a statement released Wednesday, UPC Head of Media and Communications Muzeyi Faizo described the legislation as legally ambiguous and economically risky, saying it could ultimately undermine the very sovereignty it seeks to protect.
“Uganda must avoid policies that risk weakening investor confidence, reducing economic opportunity, or increasing isolation from regional and global markets,” the statement said.
UPC’s intervention comes at a time when Uganda is grappling with rising public debt, unemployment, high borrowing costs, and persistent cost-of-living pressures.
The party warned that enactment of the bill could discourage foreign direct investment, strain development partnerships, and create uncertainty within Uganda’s financial and business sectors.
Analysts say such concerns are likely to resonate with sections of the private sector already wary of policy unpredictability and growing geopolitical tensions.
Uganda’s economy remains heavily linked to external financing, foreign investment, donor support, and regional trade frameworks under the East African Community and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Critics argue that broad restrictions on foreign engagement could complicate cooperation in areas ranging from governance and academia to civil society and development financing.
The UPC further cautioned that vague wording in the bill could criminalise legitimate international partnerships, academic exchanges, and advocacy activities, creating uncertainty for investors and non-state actors operating in Uganda.
Beyond economic implications, the UPC said the proposed law raises serious constitutional and democratic concerns.
The party argued that several provisions appear inconsistent with principles of legal certainty, proportionality, and freedoms guaranteed under Uganda’s Constitution, including freedom of association and expression.
According to the UPC, the broad language used in the legislation could enable selective enforcement and misuse of state power.
“The ambiguity in the law risks creating unnecessary tension within society,” the statement noted.
Legal analysts and civil society groups have similarly warned that the bill could trigger constitutional litigation if enacted in its current form.
The UPC cited Article 91(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda 1995, which empowers the President to return a bill to Parliament for reconsideration before assent.
The party pointed to previous instances where President Museveni exercised that authority, including in relation to the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, the Minimum Wages Bill, and the NSSF Amendment Bill.
Supporters of the bill insist the legislation is necessary to protect Uganda’s independence and national interests from foreign political influence.
President Museveni publicly welcomed the bill’s passage in a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, congratulating ruling National Resistance Movement MPs for supporting the legislation.
“Let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you,” Museveni wrote in Luganda.
The President argued that foreign interference in domestic affairs poses significant risks to national stability and sovereignty.
Drawing on historical precedent, Museveni referenced the 1971 coup that brought former President Idi Amin to power, alleging foreign backing from British and Israeli interests because then-President Milton Obote had opposed Western policy on Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.
Museveni said such historical experiences justify stronger legal safeguards against external interference.
The controversy surrounding the bill has intensified political divisions ahead of its final stage.
Earlier this week, Forum for Democratic Change President Patrick Amuriat Oboi warned that the party would challenge the law in court if signed.
Other political actors, civil society organisations, and legal commentators have also signalled plans to petition the Constitutional Court, arguing that aspects of the legislation may violate constitutional protections and Uganda’s international obligations.
The growing backlash places the President in a politically sensitive position as he weighs whether to sign the bill into law or return it to Parliament for amendments.
The debate surrounding the Sovereignty Protection Bill reflects a broader global tension between national sovereignty and international engagement.
Governments across Africa and beyond have increasingly introduced laws aimed at regulating foreign influence, particularly regarding NGOs, political financing, and external advocacy.
Supporters often frame such laws as necessary safeguards against external manipulation and neo-colonial pressure. Critics, however, argue that overly broad restrictions risk undermining democratic governance, civic participation, and economic competitiveness.
In Uganda’s case, the debate is especially significant because of the country’s heavy reliance on international partnerships in sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, security, and humanitarian support.
The bill now awaits President Museveni’s decision. Under the Constitution, the President may sign the bill into law, return it to Parliament for reconsideration and or allow Parliament to reconsider it after raising objections
For now, political attention remains fixed on State House, where the fate of one of Uganda’s most controversial pieces of legislation in recent years will be determined.
Whether the law ultimately becomes a symbol of strengthened sovereignty or a flashpoint for economic and constitutional conflict may depend on how government balances national autonomy with democratic accountability and international engagement.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/do-not-sign-it-upc-petitions-museveni-over-sovereignty-legislation/
