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By Spy Uganda
President Yoweri Museveni has praised Members of Parliament from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for passing the controversial Sovereignty Bill, describing the legislation as a necessary step in safeguarding Uganda’s independence and protecting the country from foreign interference.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the President defended the Bill as a reaffirmation of Uganda’s right to determine its own affairs without external influence. Museveni said the legislation reflects the principle that sovereign nations should be free to govern themselves without outside interference.
“This is to congratulate the NRM MPs for passing the Sovereignty Bill which simply means ‘mutuleke tukole ebyaffe ngamwe bwemukola ebyamwe wataliwo okubayingilila’ (let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you),” Museveni said.
The President criticized those opposing the Bill, arguing that foreign involvement in Uganda’s internal matters has historically led to instability and suffering. He pointed to the 1971 military coup that brought former President Idi Amin to power, claiming it was backed by foreign actors due to then-President Milton Obote’s opposition to British policy on Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.
“How shameful and disgusting to see people arguing otherwise. Foreigners interfering in our internal issues is very dangerous,” Museveni said in the statement.
The President further claimed that the British government under former Prime Minister Edward Heath recognized Amin’s government within 10 days of the coup, despite the political turmoil that followed.
Museveni noted that although he and other political actors had long-standing disagreements with Obote, efforts were underway at the time to strengthen regional cooperation and support liberation movements across Africa, including in Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Sao Tome and Guinea-Bissau.
He also highlighted Uganda’s economic performance before the coup, saying the country’s economy had grown by 11 percent in 1969. According to the President, the overthrow of Obote disrupted national progress and plunged the country into years of violence and instability.
“Now these foreigners bring in Idi Amin who had no idea about all these issues. We had to spend eight years and a lot of deaths in order to solve the problem created for us by others,” he stated.
Museveni urged Ugandans, particularly the youth whom he often refers to as “Bazzukulu,” to reflect on the country’s history while debating issues related to sovereignty, governance and national independence.
The Sovereignty Bill has sparked debate among politicians, civil society groups and sections of the public, with supporters arguing that it is intended to shield Uganda from undue external influence, while critics have raised concerns over its potential implications for civil liberties, governance and international relations.
Despite the criticism, the President maintained that protecting Uganda’s sovereignty remains essential to preserving national stability and independence.
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, https://www.spyuganda.com/youre-heros-museveni-praises-nrm-mps-for-passing-controversial-sovereignty-bill-warns-against-foreign-influence/
