Uganda’s Parliament has pushed forward the controversial Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, after a heated and tightly secured sitting, with Anita Annet Among allowing the legislation to proceed to second reading despite concerns raised by the president and mounting pressure from opposition leaders and stakeholders.

Under heightened security at the Parliament of Uganda, lawmakers convened for a high-stakes debate on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, legislation that has sparked nationwide concern and drawn scrutiny from civil society, religious leaders, legal experts, and Ugandans in the diaspora.

The debate follows a recent communication from Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who acknowledged that sections of the bill, including provisions on foreigner status for citizens, strict penalties, and limits on foreign funding, had raised legitimate public concerns.

Seizing on the president's remarks, the leader of the opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, renewed calls for the bill’s withdrawal, arguing that its intent should be limited to safeguarding national policy from external interference without undermining investment or diaspora contributions.

However, Speaker Anita Annet Among ruled that no formal communication had been officially tabled before her office to halt the process, allowing the bill to proceed to its second reading.

Presenting findings of the joint committee on legal and parliamentary affairs and defense and internal affairs, Wilson Kajwengye Twinomujuni outlined proposed amendments aimed at addressing public and presidential concerns.

The committee recommended revising definitions of “foreigners” and “agents,” clarifying criminal offenses, and reducing penalties and fines to align the bill with constitutional standards.

But divisions within the House remained evident, as minority reports from legislators including Jonathan Odur, Wilfred Niwagaba, and Betty Nambooze called for the bill’s withdrawal.

They cited concerns over limited scrutiny, potential infringement on freedom of expression, and inadequate time for meaningful consultation.

By press time, the bill had advanced to the committee stage, setting the stage for further scrutiny and possible amendments before returning to plenary. As debate intensifies, attention now shifts to the final outcome, with Ugandans keenly watching whether Parliament will strike a balance between safeguarding national sovereignty and upholding constitutional freedoms.