The Government has tabled the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026 before Parliament, introducing strict measures aimed at regulating foreign influence in Uganda, including heavy fines, prison sentences, and tighter oversight of foreign funding.
The Bill was presented by State Minister for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi during a parliamentary sitting presided over by Speaker Anita Among.
The proposed legislation seeks to regulate individuals and organisations that receive support or act on behalf of foreign entities. It requires any person acting for a foreigner to formally register with authorities.
It also introduces strict financial controls, requiring ministerial approval for any individual or organisation receiving more than Shs400 million annually from foreign sources.
In addition, all foreign loans to Ugandan borrowers would require clearance from the relevant minister before being processed.
Under the Bill, failure to comply with these requirements could lead to classification as a “foreign agent,” a status that carries severe penalties, including up to 20 years in prison.
The draft law further proposes heavy penalties for activities deemed to promote foreign interests against the state. Individuals could face fines of up to Shs2 billion or long prison terms, while organisations—including NGOs and companies—risk fines of up to Shs4 billion.
The Bill has now been referred to the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs and the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for detailed scrutiny and public consultation before further debate in Parliament.