Opposition Slams Sovereignty Protection Bill as Redundant and Unconstitutional

Uganda’s parliamentary Opposition has strongly opposed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, labeling it redundant and a threat to democratic freedoms.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, told a joint committee on April 24, 2026, that the bill overlaps with laws like the Penal Code Act, Anti-Money Laundering Act, Public Finance Management Act, and NGO Act. He pointed out that offenses such as treason and illicit funding are already addressed.

‘Treason via foreign embassy funding is covered by the Penal Code, and money laundering requires source declarations under existing rules,’ Ssenyonyi stated.

He highlighted risky clauses, including a Shs400 million cap on foreign funding—exceeding it without approval could mean 20 years in prison. Clause 2(2), criminalizing public influence against government policy, was flagged as undermining Opposition duties.

UPC General Secretary Francis Ebil echoed these views, calling the bill unconstitutional for redefining citizens as foreigners based on residence, bypassing the 1995 Constitution. He criticized vague terms like ‘economic sabotage’ and ‘foreign agent,’ which could jail journalists for factual reporting impacting markets, and excessive penalties up to Shs4 billion fines or 20-year sentences.

While MPs like Hon. John Teira and Hon. Richard Oriebo defended the bill for targeting subversion and streamlining laws, the Opposition pushed for its scrapping.

Source: Parliament of Uganda