Museveni Lauds NRM MPs for Passing Sovereignty Bill

By Sksika Reporter

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has praised legislators from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for what he described as their “ideological clarity” following the passage of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026.

The legislation was approved by Parliament late Tuesday evening, May 5, and seeks to shield Uganda’s political and economic systems from what the government terms “unwarranted foreign interference.” Speaking shortly after the vote, Museveni commended NRM Members of Parliament for standing firm despite what he called external pressure.

By passing the Bill, the President said, lawmakers had sent a strong message that Uganda’s destiny lies in the hands of its own citizens. He emphasized that national priorities should not be dictated by foreign actors unfamiliar with the country’s history and development path.

“This is to congratulate the NRM MPs for passing the Sovereignty Bill which simply means ‘mutuleke tukole ebyaffe ngamwe bwemukola ebyamwe wataliwo okubayingilila’ (let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you),” Museveni said in a statement.

He warned that foreign involvement in domestic affairs is “very dangerous,” citing historical examples to support his stance.

The President referenced the 1971 coup that brought Idi Amin to power, alleging foreign backing in the overthrow of Milton Obote. He claimed that British Prime Minister Edward Heath recognized Amin’s government within days, which he argued contributed to years of instability in Uganda.

According to Museveni, such historical episodes demonstrate the risks of external interference, noting that Uganda paid a heavy price to recover from the disruptions caused during that period.

The Protection of Sovereignty Bill introduces a mandatory registration framework for individuals and organizations classified as “agents of foreigners.” It also establishes stricter oversight on foreign funding exceeding Shs400 million.

Earlier drafts of the Bill drew criticism for their broad scope, but amendments in the final version exempt diaspora remittances and legitimate humanitarian assistance.

Despite the President’s endorsement, the legislation remains controversial. Opposition leaders and civil society organizations have expressed concern that provisions related to “economic sabotage” could be used to suppress dissent and restrict civic space.

With the NRM’s parliamentary majority securing its passage, the Bill now awaits presidential assent, marking a significant legislative step in Museveni’s current term.