The Centre for Constitutional Governance has urged Parliament to reject The Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, warning that it could violate individuals’ and companies’ right to privacy. The organisation argued that the documents in which individuals and companies declare the sources of money received outside Uganda would become public documents.
The appeal was made by Phillip Karugaba, an Associate at the Centre for Constitutional Governance, while appearing before the Joint Committees on Defence and Internal Affairs, and the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, to present the Centre’s views on The Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026.
Concerns over clauses 15 and 16
Karugaba argued that clauses 15 and 16 “joke” with requirements for declarations to the Minister of Internal Affairs. He noted that the only additional item missing from what is demanded is “the DNA,” implying that the requirements are excessive and intrusive.
He also rejected a proposal in the Bill seeking to exempt Government from the law’s provisions on taxes. According to Karugaba, such an exemption would encourage inequality—since Government would exempt itself while the private sector bears the consequences of the law.
Contradiction with existing law
Karugaba further questioned how such extensive powers could be vested in the two Ministers. He argued that the Bill appears to conflict with the Public Finance Management Act, noting:
“Why would that power exist? Are you saying the provisions of this bill actually contravene the provision of Public Finance Management Act? They empower the two ministers to disapply the Public Finance Management Act.”
Classification of Ugandans abroad
Another objection raised by the Centre was the proposal to classify every Ugandan living outside Uganda as a foreigner. Karugaba warned that rather than protecting the people’s sovereignty, the Bill effectively shifts the practical exercise of that sovereignty to the Minister of Internal Affairs.
Curtailment of participation in legislation
Karugaba also warned that if passed in its current form, the Bill could curtail meaningful stakeholder participation in legislation. He argued that any attempt to oppose Government policy would risk being treated as criminal.
Registration of professionals as foreign agents
The Centre further stated that, if the Bill is enacted as proposed, Ugandan professionals with affiliations outside Uganda would be required to register as foreign agents, since they would allegedly be acting or representing foreign interests.
Karugaba questioned how this registration would be implemented, noting that there is no transitional clause to guide the structure and process for registration.
Implementation and legal default risks
He warned that unless the infrastructure required to implement the Bill is in place immediately, many people and institutions could be placed in default overnight. He argued that while an individual might take the risk of non-compliance, institutions such as banks and insurance companies, which must follow local laws, would face an intolerable situation—automatic default and severe criminal penalties, including fines of up to one million dollars, affecting not only the institutions but also their officials.
