Ugandans living abroad have called for trust, clarity, and inclusion as Parliament reviews the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026.
Appearing via Zoom before the Joint Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs and Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, diaspora representatives highlighted their vital economic contribution and cautioned against provisions they say could strain ties with citizens overseas.
They noted that clauses classifying Ugandans abroad as foreigners and restricting remittances risk undermining investment, family support systems, and long-standing trust between the diaspora and the government.
U.S.-based Timothy Kangajwe emphasised that Ugandans abroad remain deeply connected to their homeland.
“When a bill defines us as foreigners, it sends a strong message. We send about US$2.5 billion home to support our families, not politics. It is important that this connection is protected,” he said.
Brian Mushana Kwesiga, former President of the Uganda North America Association (UNAA), supported the need to safeguard national sovereignty but urged lawmakers to distinguish clearly between citizens and foreign actors.
“Protecting sovereignty is important, but it should not come at the cost of trust. Encouraging diaspora investment requires confidence and inclusion,” he noted.
Gloria Nalule, Executive Director of Uganda Global Forum, revealed that a majority of diaspora respondents favour amendments to the bill.
“About 77 percent want the bill refined to avoid creating divisions among citizens,” she said, warning that the current wording could lead to perceptions of unequal citizenship.
The draft legislation introduces wide-ranging controls on foreign funding and political activity. It proposes criminal penalties for individuals or organizations that receive foreign support to promote policies not approved by Cabinet, mandatory registration of “agents of foreign entities,” fines of up to Shs4 billion for organizations, and prison sentences of up to 20 years for individuals.
It also grants authorities powers to seize assets linked to unlawful foreign funding and requires financial institutions to submit monthly reports on foreign transactions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Parliament’s joint committee is continuing consultations with various stakeholders as it gathers views to inform possible revisions to the proposed law.
