President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed into law the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, marking a major legislative step aimed at shielding Uganda from what government describes as unlawful foreign interference in its internal affairs.
The announcement was made on Sunday night through the official State House X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming that the Bill “recently passed by Parliament” as now become law.
According to government officials, the new legislation is intended to safeguard Uganda’s political, security, and economic independence from external influence that could undermine national decision-making processes.
At the same time, authorities emphasized that the law is not meant to restrict legitimate international engagement. It will, instead, protect lawful investments, trade partnerships, humanitarian operations, and academic collaborations within the country.
The Bill was passed by Parliament on May 5 after intense debate and has since attracted mixed reactions from different sections of society, including civil society organisations, activists, religious leaders, cultural institutions, politicians, and members of the public.
While supporters argue that the law strengthens national sovereignty and security, critics have expressed concern over its potential implications for civic space and international cooperation.
The enactment of the law now places Uganda among countries tightening legal frameworks around foreign involvement in domestic political and economic affairs.
