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The First African Bicycle Information Organization (FABIO) a non-government organization involved in social transformation activities has engaged stake holders on the Controversial Sovereignty Bill 2026 which was tabled in parliament for the first reading last week and is currently at the committee level.
In a high-level stake holders meeting held at Bax Hotel in Jinja, participants were taken through the bill section by section by a lawyer for a deeper understanding before the floor was opened up for highlights and views from its definition, interpretation, application and its administration and what awaits Ugandans if passed by the 11th parliament or 12th parliament.
As the stakeholders listened to the lawyer breaking down the contentious bill section by section, it appeared that the bill’s timing, the targeting looks sinister with majority of civil service society owners, churches, NGOs, business people and banks voicing concerns about the intersection of National Interests which the bill largely wishes to protect.
It also appears that besides many organizations being licensed by the NGO Bureau under the Ministry of Internal affairs currently regardless of the hurdles they endure, they will again have to re-apply to register as agents of a foreign entity. Despite existence of other laws enshrined in the Constitution, the Penal Code, the Bank of Uganda of Uganda Act and many others, the bill largely contravenes the existing laws.
With banks already voicing their concerns regarding several sections of the bill already submitted which they say risk hampering credit and development, Stake holders at the Bax Hotel meeting also raised concerns regarding the definition of an “agent of a foreigner”.
The bill’s Interpretation in it’s part one describes “agent of a foreigner” as a person who acts as an agent, representative, employee or servant, or any person who acts in any other capacity at the order, request, or under the direction or control of a foreigner or of a person, any of whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized by a foreigner.
It further categorizes a foreigner in the same section as; non-Ugandan citizen, a Ugandan citizen residing outside Uganda, a foreign government, consulate, high commission, embassy or other diplomatic mission, a corporation, company, non-governmental organization or other legal entity incorporated, unincorporated or registered outside Uganda, an international or multinational organization, or any person, institution or body that the Minister may by statutory instrument, declare to be a foreigner.
Speaking at the event, FABIO Uganda Executive Director Joy Kawanguzi also raised the same fears about the bill just like any other Ugandan. According to Kawanguzi, this law aims to turn Ugandans into foreigners, agents of foreigners and strip them of the inherent right of being a Ugandan as enshrined in Articles 10-15 of the Constitution of the republic of Uganda. She argues government to regulate foreign interference especially regarding funding by strengthening the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2013, Bank of Uganda Act and also empower the Financial Intelligence Authority to curb the fears that this law intends to rest.
“If this law is passed the way it is today, all of us in this room at some point shall be designated as foreigners or agents of foreigners. Must we have a new law to regulate foreign interference. Why not improve the current laws to cater for another interests. Why is the law coming after elections and why the rush. We appeal to government to treat this law in the same way the constitution requires and not to skip other steps. We are not in a hurry and Ugandans should be consulted and given enough time to understand it because the law affects them”-Joy Kawanguzi questioned.
Section 6 of the Bill further makes it criminal for an individual or entity to provide functions and services to Ugandans in communities specified in the 6th Schedule of the constitution. For years individuals or organizations have always provided social services including clean water to communities. In this new bill, a person or an agent of foreigner will seek permission from government before providing such services to communities in Uganda.
SECTION 6: Clause 2: A person or an agent of a foreigner shall not exercise any of the functions specified in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution, except with the approval of the relevant Government agency assigned the mandate to exercise such functions.
Stakeholders at the Bax hotel meeting who were drawn from several areas from the local population around the region highlighted how this law would affect every family which might have sons and daughters working in foreign countries since the law designates them as foreigners.
According to Mr. Munaba Edward Paul who came from the Busoga Kingdom, he says much as the law from the onset might be good at curbing foreign interference, it will affect every Ugandan just like the other laws which targeted politicians like the Public Order Management Act (POMA) but ended up affecting even non-politicians. He says designating a Ugandan leaving outside Uganda as a foreigner is itself not sovereignty and it will affect how people live, work and earn.
Many stakeholders raised similar voices how the Minister of Internal affairs is being given a lot of powers to manage and administer this bill if it becomes law. Others were concerned about the punishments ranging from 10-20 years, Shs2billion and Shs4 billion as punishments for those convicted, these say the law is too punitive and might be misused to settle political scores.
Several others cleared stated that even it’s current state or when new clauses are added or removed, only opposition MPs will raise their concerns but those of the ruling government who have in the past received cash to pass laws which government has much interest will not say a word and whether public opinion is considered or not, it will be passed.
The bill was sent to the Committees of Legal, Defense and Internal affairs for processing and parliament has since urged the public to bring their suggestions. The speed being used also of concern since limited time has been given to the public and state holders to understand it and even voice their concerns.
Read The Bill HERE
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