Kampala, Uganda
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially assented to the Protection of Sovereignty Act, 2026, eleven days after Uganda’s Parliament passed the controversial legislation aimed at regulating foreign influence, funding, and external involvement in the country’s affairs.
The announcement was made Sunday evening through an official State House press release and later shared on the government’s official social media platforms.
According to the statement, Museveni signed the bill into law on May 17, 2026, arguing that the legislation is intended to strengthen Uganda’s sovereignty, protect national interests, and regulate unlawful foreign interference.
The Protection of Sovereignty Act establishes a legal framework intended to regulate individuals, organizations, and entities considered agents of foreign interests operating within Uganda.
According to the State House statement, the law will:
Protect Uganda’s sovereignty and national independence
Designate the Ministry responsible for Internal Affairs as the implementing authority
Provide for the registration and regulation of agents of foreign entities
Regulate foreign funding and other forms of assistance
Strengthen oversight over activities viewed as affecting national security and governance.
The government says the law will operate within Uganda’s existing legal and policy frameworks.
“The Sovereignty Act is expected to strengthen Uganda’s capacity to safeguard its independence in national decision-making processes,” the statement read.
Government officials argue that the legislation is necessary to protect Uganda from unlawful financial influence and foreign interference in domestic political, governance, and security matters.
State House said the law aims to preserve Uganda’s “national policy space” while supporting stability, accountability, and orderly governance.
The government further stated that the law is not intended to block legitimate international cooperation.
According to the official communication, the legislation will continue to allow:
Lawful investments
Humanitarian assistance
Academic partnerships
Regional and international cooperation programs.
“The law is seen as complementing Uganda’s broader development agenda,” the statement added.
Uganda’s Parliament passed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, earlier this month after debate among lawmakers over national security, foreign funding, and state authority.
The legislation was approved amid increasing concern within sections of government about the role of foreign-funded organizations and external actors in Uganda’s political and civic environment.
The presidential assent now formally transforms the bill into enforceable law.
Uganda joins several African countries that have introduced laws regulating foreign-funded organizations, lobbying activities, and external political influence.
Supporters of such laws often argue they are necessary to defend sovereignty, prevent destabilization, and protect national security.
Critics in other jurisdictions, however, have sometimes raised concerns that similar laws can potentially affect civil society organizations, media freedoms, political activism, and international partnerships if implemented broadly.
As of publication, Uganda’s government had not released detailed implementation regulations or clarified how the law will specifically affect non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, foreign-funded programs, or diplomatic activities.
With presidential assent completed, relevant government institutions are expected to begin implementing the law under the supervision of the Ministry responsible for Internal Affairs.
Legal experts and civil society organizations are expected to closely examine the final provisions of the Act and monitor its enforcement in the coming months.
The law is likely to generate continued public debate regarding the balance between national sovereignty, security concerns, and civic freedoms in Uganda.
