President Yoweri Museveni has clarified that the proposed Protection of Sovereignty, 2026 law does not seek to restrict foreign investment, remittances, or private financial flows, key pillars of the country’s liberalised economic model.
“The Bill I initiated was about what we fought for and what the whole of Africa fought for since 1900, when the whole of Africa, except Ethiopia, had been shamelessly colonised for over 400 years,” said Museveni in a three-page statement issued on Thursday.
Museveni defended his original proposal from widespread claims that it seeks to curb foreign direct investment (FDI), diaspora remittances, and external support to religious and social institutions.
“That is not the Bill I initiated,” he said, stressing that the proposed law is intended to safeguard Uganda’s independence in policy decision-making rather than interfere with private capital or economic freedoms.
Museveni framed the Bill within the historical context of Africa’s anti-colonial struggle, arguing that sovereignty ultimately means the ability of citizens to determine political, social, economic, and diplomatic choices without external pressure, whether financial, ideological, or institutional.
He explained that the sovereignty that they are fighting for is in the form of policy decision-making on political issues, social, and economic issues. Quoting the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Museveni said Independence means the right to make our own mistakes if necessary and learn from them.
He said sovereignty means: “Please muteleke (leave us alone), so that we make our own decisions. Do not fund groups to influence our decisions as a country,” stated Museveni.
He cited constitutional provisions that vest power in citizens, including Article 1(4) of the Constitution of Uganda, which affirms that sovereignty is exercised through elections and referenda, alongside Articles 59 and 68 governing voting rights and electoral processes.
He went on to warn all and sundry that ” Please do not interfere by word, action, or money in that effort. Policy and ideological decisions can make or break a country.”
The government has already moved to soften the Bill following criticism from civil society, the private sector, and development partners. Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka told parliament’s joint committees on legal and defence affairs that the legislation has been redrafted to address public concerns.
The revised proposals exempt financial institutions supervised by the Bank of Uganda, licensed medical and educational institutions, and religious organisations. Kiwanuka said the changes were informed by stakeholder feedback, signalling a degree of responsiveness in a process critics had earlier described as rushed and lacking transparency.
Uganda’s economy remains highly dependent on external financial inflows, making policy clarity critical for market confidence. According to the World Bank, remittances to Uganda have consistently exceeded $1.3 billion annually in recent years, providing a vital source of household income and foreign exchange.
FDI, particularly in oil, infrastructure, and manufacturing, is central to the country’s growth strategy as it prepares for commercial oil production. Museveni acknowledged these realities, emphasising that free movement of capital remains a cornerstone of government policy.
“The NRM cannot countenance interference with the freedom of movement of capital,” he said.
“That is our main instrument for growth and socio-economic transformation.” The debate now shifts to parliament, which faces the task of reconciling competing constitutional and economic priorities.
Under Article 79 of the Constitution, lawmakers are mandated to legislate for the “peace, order, and good governance” of Uganda. Museveni, however, dismissed identity-based politics, including sectarian divisions along ethnic or religious lines, as a source of past instability, urging a shift toward “politics of interests” focused on economic transformation and wealth creation.
But the statement “… the right to make our own mistakes if necessary and learn from them …” statement, was not made by Nyerere (RIP), but Kwame Nkrumah (RIP).
And except Marxism, pseudo and booty capitalism (dishonesty and plunder through corruption), diabolic violence, etc; what ideology does our PROBLEM OF AFRICA, Gen Tibuhaburwa have?
Zee!
Because it has been overtaken by very many events long time ago; the Pan Africanism rhetoric is as EMPTY and BOGUS like the very people who opportunistically refer to and parrots it; to hoodwink the gullible citizens.
These are the very people/leaders, who in the name of freedom: have not only murdered more of their fellow countrymen, women and children in cold blood, proliferated millions into Internal Displacements Camps (IDP) and Refugeehood; but also exiled and indefinitely imprisoned in thousands, more than the former colonial masters did.
In other words, who in his/her right state of mind, can still deny that: after becoming our PROBLEM OF AFRICA 20 years ago, Mr. Museveni is as EMPTY and BOGUS as the Pan Africanism, which he parrots every time he is confronted over his despotism, military dictatorship and life-presidency?
Why the rush????? Let the bill be withdrawn to give citizens and the 12th Parliament more time to digest the issues and come up with a refined and precise legislation.
But, I can partially blame the NRM Chairman who during the recent NRM Kyankwanzi retreat, dangled 100M, cashed 20M and also asked the MPs to go “handle the Sovereignty Bill”. So in a bid to please the Chairman, the Int. Affairs Min. and AG plus the defeated MPs saw it as an opportunity to outdo themselves to squeeze the hell out of the “opposition fundraising efforts,” but in the process did the “Senkole nkole mpomye, Nulunga ya goya ejuuni”. But because of the arrogance with which the movers defended the indefensible, you may never know whether they were working to fail the establishment.
Kale katwesabile!!!!!
But the old man with a hut has saved the situation for now. I pray that he stays alert so his people
You mean game parks, Lake Victoria, Nile etc. You fought to steal and rob Ugandans. Now, you want to build your shrines in the name of Sovereignty Bill. Since when did Kaguta family owned Uganda? Why does Muhoozi claims the revenues of Jinja Damn, game parks etc ? Yet it was our grandparents that were in agreements to promote all the ventures. Since when did Kaguta family own schools…Now, tell us where is Janet. Some people say Karma as a way of paying back. Why delay the news. Time up! JANET IS GONE! Who next? Sevo or Muhoozi. The story of King Ahab and Jezebel ends unfolding in Uganda. Repent of your corruption and deceit. I’m so pissed that Ugandans have failed to pray enough, Sevos would be history by now. I told you the secret of his spiritual powers and how to bring the whole dynasty down in less than 30 days. Janet is shrine you’re trying to set up will not work. The Uganda Martyrs still stand out(45 of them). May God Bless Uganda.