KAMPALA – The President of Uganda, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has assented to the Protection of Sovereignty Act, 2026, formally sealing it into law to fortify the nation’s independence in decision-making.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The President signed the bill into law on May 17, 2026, with immediate effect, to shield Uganda’s decisions from foreign influence and ensure all development remains rooted in national interest.
The new law formally designates the Department of Peace and Security within the Ministry of Internal Affairs as the lead authority responsible for overseeing compliance with the Sovereignty Act.
The Protection of Sovereignty Act, 2026, was introduced to Parliament on April 15, 2026, and later passed by May 5, 2026. Upon presidential assent and signature, the law became valid.
The law requires all foreign agents operating in Uganda to register with the government and strictly regulates their funding to ensure full transparency and accountability in all external engagements.
The Protection of Sovereignty Act is expected to significantly enhance Uganda’s institutional capacity to safeguard its autonomy in national decision-making processes.
The Act is designed to protect Uganda’s sovereignty by registering and regulating foreign agents and any funding they receive. Opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi and civil groups called the law redundant, arguing that existing laws like the Penal Code already cover the same issues.
Despite the criticism, the final law simplifies and brings together existing rules to make them clearer and easier to enforce. Lawmakers also exempted groups already regulated under other laws, so the new law does not create unnecessary overlaps or confusion.
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