Uganda's opposition figures, human rights organizations, and legal experts have strongly condemned a sweeping new bill that proposes up to 20 years in prison for promoting "foreign interests." The legislation imposes broad restrictions on individuals and organizations that work with or receive funding from overseas partners.
Bill Fast-Tracked Through Parliament
The Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 is being fast-tracked through parliament, with debate expected to conclude before the presidential swearing-in on May 12. Internal Affairs State Minister General David Muhoozi told a parliamentary committee on April 23 that the bill would strengthen safeguards against foreign influence that could destabilize national security, economic stability, and social cohesion.
However, critics argue that, like similar foreign agent laws in other authoritarian governments, the proposed legislation is designed to restrict civil society, media, and dissent by cutting off funding that supports legitimate political opposition and government accountability.
Opposition Leader Speaks Out
"This law is a copy and paste of Russian and Chinese laws adopted to liquidate opposition and civil society organizations," said Joel Ssenyonyi, Uganda's leader of the opposition. "Passing this bill will not protect Uganda's sovereignty; it will kill multiparty funding, plunge thousands more Ugandans into absolute poverty, chase away foreign investment, and turn our country into an international pariah. Clearly, this bill is intended to stifle dissent."
The controversial bill's vague language and broad definitions put a wide range of activities, people, and organizations at risk of criminalization, including advocacy, journalism, public discourse, and private corporations. An earlier draft defined Ugandan citizens living abroad as foreigners, but that provision was removed after Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka tabled amendments on April 30 in response to public outcry.
Political Tensions Rise
The bill comes at a time of heightened political tension, with opposition figures facing charges linked to foreign support and the suspension of human rights, media, and election organizations before the January general election. President Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly warned against what he describes as foreign interference in Uganda's affairs, linking external actors to political unrest.
"Uganda is not a neo-colony where foreign entities can dictate its path," Museveni said after the 2024 youth protests.
Asuman Kiyingi, a former government minister and advocate, said the bill would further restrict legitimate protest and crush dissent. "This is not regulation; it is encirclement. Having long utilized the Public Order Management Act to throttle physical assembly, the state now seeks to seize the financial and intellectual lifeblood of civic engagement. The objective is clear: to ensure no independent center of mobilization can attain the capacity to challenge the status quo."
Human Rights Watch Condemns Bill
Human Rights Watch said the bill threatens fundamental rights and called on Uganda's parliament members to reject it. Key provisions include a cap on financial assistance above 400 million Ugandan shillings (about £79,000) within any 12-month period and authorization of premises inspections and document access.
In a letter to parliament dated April 23, the World Bank warned that some provisions could criminalize a broad range of its "routine development activities." The letter stated, "By classifying international organizations as 'foreigners' without qualification, the bill subjects them to all of its substantive restrictions … and criminal penalties."
Economic Impact Concerns
Uganda receives hundreds of millions of dollars in external financing supporting health, education, and civil society, making foreign funding a central pillar of the country's development model. Julius Mukunda of the Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group warned that wide-scale restrictions could significantly reduce inflows, with ripple effects across the economy.
"Restrictions of this magnitude risk weakening the shilling and slowing economic activity, particularly where foreign capital fills critical domestic gaps through loans, private sector investment, and infrastructure financing," Mukunda said.
In response to fierce backlash, President Museveni said in a statement on X on April 30 that concerns over remittances and foreign investment were "a lot of noise" and not his intention, but defended the bill's core mission. "Independence means the right to make our own decisions if necessary and learn from them. Sovereignty means please leave us alone. Do not fund groups to influence our decisions as a country."
Amendments and Exemptions
Other amendments tabled by the attorney general exempted financial institutions supervised by the Central Bank, medical and education facilities, and faith-based organizations. Education and health organizations had warned that the legislation could disrupt partnerships underpinning research and services targeting HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and maternal health, many of which rely on overseas donor funding. However, NGOs and other international partners could still face scrutiny if deemed to further "the interests of a foreigner against Uganda's national interest."
Critics have strongly rejected the government's reassurances, calling the proposed law a constitutional coup. "The bill replaces 'power belongs to the people' with 'power belongs to government.' It does not adapt to a changing world; it adapts the constitution to the fears of those in power. That is not legislation for sovereignty – it is legislation against the sovereign people of Uganda. The very definition of a coup d'état," said Anthony Asiimwe, vice-president of the Uganda Law Society.
