Politics 20 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Growing Opposition to Uganda's Sovereignty Protection Bill 2026
Public figures and civil society groups across Uganda are intensifying their rejection of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026, labeling it inhumane, regressive, and a threat to civil liberties and economic stability. Critics warn it could criminalize remittances, cripple NGOs, and churches reliant on foreign aid. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/more-ugandans-reject-sovereignity-bill-2026-5430680
Opposition to the recently tabled Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 is mounting nationwide, with voices highlighting risks to civil rights, economic flows, and community programs.
Ms Babirye Lillian, Executive Director of the Network of Women in Politics, called the draft law inhumane and regressive, arguing it criminalizes basic survival and silences dissent. She emphasized its potential to harm women who rely on diaspora remittances for family support and local development.
Kiboga District Woman MP Christine Kaaya raised alarms over restrictions on financial transfers from abroad, questioning how families would manage without easy access to such funds.
Critics also decry the bill’s broad powers granted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, fearing corruption and inefficiency, alongside steep fines up to Shs1 billion for individuals and Shs2 billion for organizations.
In the Teso Sub-region, civil society and religious leaders expressed fears that the bill would disrupt church activities, donor-funded schools, and women’s empowerment programs. Rev Beseri Otekat of St. Peter’s Theological College noted that imported materials like Bibles and foreign scholarships would be jeopardized. Ms Cecilia Alupo Engole of Teso Women Peace Activists highlighted the loss of international funding for rural initiatives.
Pastor Abraham Okurut questioned the impact on personal aid from relatives abroad, such as Kenyan in-laws. Groups in Teso and the NGO Forum in Gulu have urged the government to withdraw the bill.
This article is based on reporting from the Daily Monitor.