Kampala, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has hailed National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament for what he described as “ideological clarity” following the passage of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026.
The legislation, approved by Parliament late Tuesday evening, seeks to shield Uganda’s political and economic systems from what government describes as unwarranted foreign interference.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Museveni commended ruling party legislators for standing firm in support of the Bill, saying it sends a strong message that Uganda’s destiny should remain in the hands of Ugandans.
“This is to congratulate the NRM MPs for passing the Sovereignty Bill which simply means ‘mutuleke tukole ebyaffe ngamwe bwemukola ebyamwe wataliwo okubayingilila’ (let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you),” Foreigners interfering in our internal issues, is very dangerous. You want examples? I will give you one today that I gave to the Cabinet the other day. It is how the Israelis led by one Barak and the British supported Idi Amin’s coup in 1971 because Obote was vocal in opposing their policy on Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Indeed, Edward Heath, the British Prime Minister, recognized Amin after only 10 days,” Mr Museveni said.
The Bill introduces a mandatory registration regime for “agents of foreigners” and establishes oversight on foreign funding exceeding Shs 400 million. While earlier drafts faced criticism for being overly broad, the final version passed with amendments that protect diaspora remittances and legitimate humanitarian aid. Despite the President’s praise, the law remains a point of contention. Opposition leaders and civil society groups have raised concerns that the “economic sabotage” clauses could be used to stifle dissent.
Nevertheless, with the NRM’s overwhelming majority, the Bill now moves to the President’s desk for final assent, marking a significant milestone in Museveni’s current term.
Below is Museveni’s statement posted on X;
Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu. Greetings. This is to congratulate the NRM MPs for passing the Sovereignty Bill which simply means “mutuleke tukole ebyaffe ngamwe bwemukola ebyamwe wataliwo okubayingilila” (let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you). How shameful and disgusting to see people arguing otherwise!! Foreigners interfering in our internal issues, is very dangerous. You want examples? I will give you one today that I gave to the Cabinet the other day. It is how the Israelis led by one Barak and the British supported Idi Amin’s coup in 1971 because Obote was vocal in opposing their policy on Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). Indeed, Edward Heath, the British Prime Minister, recognized Amin after only 10 days.
Many of us had had problems with Obote ever since 1962. However, by this time we were beginning to work together, especially for the realization of the East African Federation and Co-operation and for the liberation of the whole of Africa- Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Sao Tome, Guinea-Bissau, etc., etc. Bazilio Bataringaya, the former DP strong-man, was now with Obote. Indeed, the economy of Uganda in 1969, grew by 11%. Now these foreigners bring in Idi Amin who had no idea about all these issues. We had to spend 8 years and a lot of deaths in order to solve the problem created for us by others. Therefore, as you discuss these issues, remember some of these tragedies. Congratulations to the NRM MPs. Signed: Yoweri K. Museveni Ssaabalwanyi