Uganda’s proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill is drawing sharp criticism from press freedom advocates and civil society groups over fears that it could severely restrict journalism, foreign-funded media operations, and civic freedoms, with some offences carrying prison terms of up to 20 years.
The controversial bill, introduced in Parliament on April 15 for its first reading, seeks to regulate individuals and organizations deemed “agents of foreigners,” a broad category that could include journalists, media houses, NGOs, and civil society actors receiving international funding or working with foreign partners.
Government says the bill is designed to shield Uganda from undue foreign interference in governance, policy, and national values. It argues that foreign aid and online platforms have increasingly been used to influence government policies, spread misinformation, and undermine sovereignty.
However, critics warn that the legislation’s sweeping powers could be weaponized to suppress independent journalism, especially reporting on elections, economic affairs, and foreign policy.
According to the bill, any person or organization whose activities are directly or indirectly financed, supervised, or influenced by foreigners “including Ugandans living abroad” would be required to register with the Ministry of Internal Affairs every two years.
Foreign-linked entities would also face a strict annual foreign funding cap of 400 million shillings (approximately $108,000), unless granted special ministerial approval. Exceeding this limit could result in a 20-year prison sentence, seizure of funds, and possible deregistration.
The bill further proposes penalties of up to 20 years for actions classified as “economic sabotage,” including publishing information deemed harmful to Uganda’s economic system, promoting foreign policy positions not approved by Cabinet, or allegedly interfering in electoral processes.
Media watchdogs fear these provisions could criminalize routine journalistic work, particularly investigative reporting, election coverage, and critical analysis of government policies.
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo warned that the bill could become a dangerous legal instrument against independent media.
“If this bill is not stopped, journalists reporting in ways that do not please the government could easily be labeled foreign agents, accused of economic sabotage, and imprisoned,” Mumo said.
The legislation also grants state inspectors broad authority to raid offices of registered foreign agents, inspect records, and demand information at any reasonable time. Failure to cooperate could lead to up to seven years in prison, raising concerns over the protection of confidential journalistic sources.
Uganda has a history of media crackdowns, including the 2013 closure of the Daily Monitor and Red Pepper during a security operation linked to sensitive reporting.
Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka has defended the proposed law, saying it mirrors similar legislation in other democracies and is necessary to protect Uganda’s sovereignty and national stability.
Yet rights groups argue the bill resembles restrictive foreign agent laws seen in countries like Russia and Zimbabwe, where such laws have been criticized for shrinking civic space and silencing dissent.
If passed in its current form, observers say the Protection of Sovereignty Bill could mark one of the most significant legal threats to Uganda’s independent media and civil society in recent years, potentially reshaping the country’s democratic and press freedom landscape.
