By Aggrey Baba
The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has launched an attack on the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, describing it as a coup d’etat against Ugandans and warning that its sweeping provisions could criminalise everyday life, cripple the economy, and erode constitutional freedoms.
In a detailed memorandum submitted to Parliament, the party argues that the bill, if passed in its current form, would place all Ugandans under threat, citing harsh penalties, vague definitions, and wide discretionary powers granted to the Minister of Internal Affairs and security agencies.
At the centre of PFF’s concerns are the severe punishments embedded in the bill, proposing fines of up to UGX 4 billion or 20 years in prison for a range of offences linked to foreign influence and funding. The Katonga road based outfit says such penalties are too harsh and render the bill a typical draconian law in the making, warning that they create too many threats for Ugandans to shoulder.
Headed by senior Lawyer and Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the party also takes issue with the bill’s broad and ambiguous language, particularly provisions that criminalize activities deemed to promote interests of foreigners against the interests of Uganda.
PFF questions the practicality of such clauses, asking whether ordinary choices (such as consuming foreign goods or supporting international football clubs) could inadvertently fall within the scope of criminal conduct.
Equally contentious is the bill’s definition of a foreigner, which PFF says is dangerously elastic. The memorandum warns that granting the minister powers to declare any person a foreigner by statutory instrument puts all Ugandans in a state of extreme anxiety, especially as it could extend to citizens in the diaspora.
The bill has also drawn criticism for concentrating excessive power in the Department of Peace and Security. According to PFF, the department is empowered not only to enforce the law but also to develop its own guidelines, a move PFF says violates the principle of separation of powers.
“There is a real risk that guidelines could be issued that contravene both the Constitution and existing laws,” the document reads, drawing parallels with past electoral directives that conflicted with statutory provisions.
Beyond governance concerns, PFF warns of far-reaching economic consequences, highlighting the potential disruption to remittances, noting that diaspora inflows (estimated at USD 2.5 billion in 2025) account for a significant share of Uganda’s GDP. It cautions that restrictive thresholds and regulatory burdens could paralyse the banking sector and international money transfers, undermining a vital economic lifeline.
The memorandum further raises alarm over provisions allowing for what it calls almost arbitrary forfeiture of funds linked to foreign assistance, even in cases where the ultimate beneficiaries may be vulnerable groups such as orphans, patients, or impoverished communities.
Civil liberties also feature prominently in the critique. PFF argues that several clauses contravene constitutional protections on freedom of expression, association, and religion, as well as the right to privacy. The party warns that the bill could stifle civic activism, restrict media operations, and even affect religious institutions and humanitarian work.
In one striking example, the party notes that individuals could require clearance from security authorities simply to receive support for organizing discussions or activities aimed at influencing public policy, an arrangement PFF says undermines democratic participation.
The bill’s limited exemptions are another sticking point, as PFF contends that charities, humanitarian organizations, and philanthropists are left exposed, potentially hindering rescue operations and cross-border assistance efforts. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
