Museveni’s Sovereignty Bill Passes After Concessions, But Threats to Democracy Remain

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has secured a legislative win with the passage of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill on May 5, but not without costly compromises that reveal cracks in his parliamentary control. Originally drafted with sweeping restrictions, the bill faced pushback from lawmakers, financial institutions, and civil society, forcing a last-minute narrowing of its scope.

The most significant amendment was a tightened definition of “foreigner” and “agent of a foreigner.” The bill now excludes Ugandan citizens living abroad and limits the label “agent” to those knowingly acting on behalf of foreign interests to influence Uganda’s policy, elections, or national security. This change came after Wilson Kajwengye, chair of the parliamentary Defence and Internal Affairs committee, warned that the original language was “overly broad” and risked “far-reaching consequences.”

The bill’s initial demand that all businesses and individuals receiving foreign funds register with the government sparked fierce opposition from Uganda’s banking sector. Central Bank Governor Michael Atingi-Ego cautioned that such a requirement could choke off diaspora remittances, risking an “economic disaster.” The government relented, restricting registration only to those receiving funds for political purposes.

While the bill’s proponents, including Minister of State for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi, argue it is necessary to protect Uganda’s sovereignty from foreign meddling, critics see it as a tool to silence dissent. The law criminalizes anyone working for a foreign organization from influencing policy without government approval and threatens up to ten years in prison for promoting “the interests of a foreigner against the interests of Uganda.”

Opposition parties, especially Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform, and civil society groups that rely heavily on foreign funding are the most vulnerable targets. This legislation fits a growing pattern under Museveni’s rule of using legal mechanisms to stifle political opposition and erode democratic norms.

Despite the concessions, the Protection of Sovereignty Bill remains a blunt instrument that will likely deepen Uganda’s democratic backsliding. It underscores how authoritarian leaders exploit fears of foreign interference to justify cracking down on political freedoms and civil society — all in the name of “sovereignty.” The high price Museveni paid to pass this bill reveals both the limits of his parliamentary dominance and the resilience of those pushing back against his tightening grip on power.