OPINION : The Protection of Sovereignty Act 2026 – Parliament Listened, and Uganda Wins

On 18th May 2026, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni assented to the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026, transforming it into law. This moment marks a decisive step in Uganda’s resolve to guard its independence and chart its own future.

I take this opportunity to thank Parliament, and in particular the Joint Committees of Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Defence and Internal Affairs, for the thorough scrutiny they subjected this legislation to. I also congratulate the visionary leadership of H.E. President Yoweri Museveni for recognizing the urgency of this law and guiding Parliament to craft it.

This Act is better than oil. More than a resource, it is a safeguard of our sovereignty as a nation. It embeds sensitive leadership and places public interest at the center, in line with Article 8A of the Constitution and the National Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.

In doing so, it showcases our shared national values – values where even the voice and dignity of the downtrodden matter.

When Parliament passed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 earlier this month, critics were quick to claim the process was rushed and tone-deaf. They peddled the narrative that lawmakers ignored the public and rubber-stamped a draconian law. The record says otherwise.

The truth is that this law was shaped by the people, for the people.

For weeks, the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee received over 200 memoranda from citizens, civil society, the private sector, academia, political parties, government agencies, and the diaspora. These submissions were not filed away. They formed the basis of the committee’s debate and directly changed the Bill before it reached the floor.

The original draft contained clauses that would have caused real anxiety. It defined any Ugandan living abroad as a “foreigner,” threatening to criminalize remittances that millions of families depend on. It required every Ugandan receiving money from abroad to register as a foreign agent. It used broad language that could have swept ordinary NGOs, consultants, and development partners into criminal liability.

Parliament listened. Those provisions were removed or narrowed. The final law now applies only to non-citizens, foreign governments, and organizations incorporated outside Uganda. It targets individuals receiving funds specifically for political purposes that advance foreign interests. Remittances for family support are untouched. The penalty was reduced from 20 to 10 years, and vague language on “association” and “sponsorship” was struck out.

This is not ignoring the public. It is legislative responsiveness in action.

As we celebrate this milestone, I extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to the people of Uganda. Your engagement, vigilance, and partnership with Parliament made this law possible. The Protection of Sovereignty Act 2026 is not just legislation on paper; it is a collective gain and a shield for our nation’s future.

May it stand as a lasting reminder that when leaders and citizens work together, we secure what matters most: an independent, self-determined and democratic Uganda where our values and interests come first.

Yusuf Nsibambi is a Lawyer, businessman and former MP for Mawokota South.

ynsibambi@yahoo.com