NATIONAL NEWS
By: AmolatarPostNews | Reporter Kampala
KAMPALA,UGANDA |Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has formally rejected the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, describing it as unconstitutional, unnecessary, and a threat to fundamental freedoms.
Appearing before a joint sitting of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs and the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on Friday, April 24, UPC Secretary General Fred Ebil led a delegation that included Oyam North MP Eunice Otuko Apio and party official Muzeyi Faizo. The team presented a detailed memorandum outlining the party’s objections to the controversial bill currently under scrutiny in the Parliament of Uganda.
“Fundamentally Unconstitutional”
In his submission, Ebil argued that the proposed legislation fails to address any genuine legal gaps and instead duplicates existing laws. He maintained that Uganda already has sufficient frameworks governing the areas the bill seeks to regulate, citing statutes such as the NGO Act, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and the Political Parties and Organizations Act.
“We contend that this Bill is fundamentally unconstitutional and should be withdrawn without further consideration,” Ebil told the committee.
He further warned that the bill introduces sweeping and excessive provisions that could undermine citizens’ constitutional rights, including freedoms of association, participation, and enterprise.
According to UPC, the bill’s provisions risk stifling civil society operations, weakening business environments, and interfering with service delivery by non-state actors. The party emphasized that rather than strengthening sovereignty, the legislation could centralize excessive control and create legal uncertainty.
The UPC delegation argued that by attempting to regulate already-governed sectors, the bill not only becomes redundant but also contradicts the 1995 Constitution of Uganda. They insisted that any law that duplicates existing frameworks while infringing on constitutional guarantees lacks legitimacy.
UPC President Jimmy Akena has also backed the party’s position, signaling a broader political resistance to the bill. The party is now urging lawmakers to abandon the proposal entirely rather than amend it.
The Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, remains under review by parliamentary committees, with stakeholders from across political, legal, and civil society spheres continuing to present their views. The outcome of these deliberations is expected to shape the future of governance and regulatory oversight in Uganda.
As debate intensifies, UPC’s firm stance adds to growing scrutiny over whether the bill strengthens national sovereignty-or undermines democratic principles it seeks to protect.