Museveni hails passage of Sovereignty Bill, calls it landmark for self-determination

President Yoweri Museveni has lauded the Ugandan Parliament's passage of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, hailing it as a "landmark step" in asserting the nation's right to self-determination. In a statement released via his official social media, Museveni extended congratulations to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs, framing the legislation as a necessary defense of national sovereignty against what he termed "dangerous foreign interference."

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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'

"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)," Museveni declared, emphasizing Uganda's desire for autonomy in its internal affairs.

The President strongly refuted criticisms leveled against the bill, dismissing them as "shameful and disgusting." He invoked historical examples, including alleged foreign involvement in Idi Amin's 1971 coup, to underscore his concerns about external meddling in Uganda's political landscape. Government officials have maintained that the law is designed to protect Uganda's policy independence, not to hinder foreign investment or financial inflows.

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How shameful and disgusting to see people arguing otherwise!! Foreigners interfering in our internal issues is very dangerous

Despite government assurances, the bill has faced significant public scrutiny and opposition. Critics argue that certain provisions could potentially undermine democratic participation and infringe upon citizens' rights. However, the government insists that sovereignty, as defined by the bill, encompasses Uganda's exclusive right to formulate its own policies in political governance, economic strategy, and diplomatic alignment without external manipulation. The bill now awaits presidential assent to become law, marking a potentially significant legislative decision of the current parliamentary term.

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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