Ugandan opposition figures, human rights groups and legal experts have condemned a sweeping new bill that proposes up to 20 years in prison for promoting 'foreign interests'. The Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 is being fast-tracked through parliament, with debate expected to conclude before the presidential swearing-in on 12 May.
Internal Affairs State Minister Gen David Muhoozi told a parliamentary committee on 23 April that the bill would strengthen safeguards against foreign influence. However, critics say the legislation mirrors foreign agent laws in Russia and China, designed to restrict civil society, media and dissent by cutting off foreign funding.
Joel Ssenyonyi, Uganda's leader of the opposition, said the bill would kill multiparty funding, plunge thousands into poverty and turn the country into an international pariah. The bill's vague language puts a wide range of activities at risk of criminalisation, including advocacy, journalism and public discourse.
The bill comes amid heightened political tension, with opposition figures facing charges linked to foreign support and the suspension of human rights organisations before the January general election. President Yoweri Museveni has warned against foreign interference, linking external actors to political unrest.
Key provisions include a cap on financial assistance above 400m Ugandan shillings (£79,000) within any 12-month period, and authorisation for inspections of premises. The World Bank warned the bill could criminalise routine development activities, and Uganda relies heavily on foreign funding for health, education and civil society.
