PARLIAMENT. Religious leaders under Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) have advised government to withdraw the controversial Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, saying it threatens constitutional freedoms, donor funding flows, and national cohesion.
Appearing before a joint parliamentary committee reviewing the Bill on Tuesday, the Council opened its submission with a moment of silence in honour of eight Members of Parliament who have died since the start of the 11th Parliament.
Led by Apostle Joseph Sserwadda, the IRCU raised concern that the Bill grants the Minister of Internal Affairs “unchecked powers” to register and deregister individuals and organisations receiving foreign funding, a move they say could significantly affect faith-based institutions.
“The Bill has a direct effect on funding for the faith and religious-based organizations that are serving the most vulnerable Ugandans,” Sserwadda said.
“You cannot talk about sovereignty while cutting off the very lifeline that helps us complement government service delivery.”
The Council warned that many churches, mosques, and faith-based NGOs rely heavily on donor support to run health programmes, schools, humanitarian relief projects, and community development initiatives across the country.
Sserwadda further argued that some provisions in the Bill conflict with Article 19 of the Constitution, cautioning that they could be used to shrink civic space and restrict public discourse.
“This law may be used to curtail business, freedom of speech and expression, analysis of government reports, media commentary, professional opinions and dissemination of truthful communication,” he said.
“That is not sovereignty. That is suppression.”
He also raised concern over a clause that reportedly classifies Ugandans living abroad as foreigners, describing it as harmful to national identity and potentially damaging to labour export opportunities.
“It will stifle labour externalization and is a gross violation of the rights of citizenship,” he said. “You cannot tell a Ugandan nurse in the UK that she is a foreigner to her own country.”
The IRCU urged Parliament to halt consideration of the Bill and instead focus on national reconciliation and unity following the 2026 general elections.
“Parliament should focus on building bridges and harmony amongst Ugandans rather than wasting time on a Bill that is set to destabilize communities,” Sserwadda said. “We need laws that build the nation, not ones that create more harm.”
Some members of the joint committee welcomed the religious leaders’ submission, describing it as timely and reflective of broader public concern. One legislator, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing consultations, suggested that Parliament should take the warnings seriously.
“The religious leaders have spoken with clarity and courage. This is not just a religious opinion — it is a prophetic opinion that Parliament must heed,” the MP said.
The parliamentary committee continues to receive submissions from stakeholders as pressure mounts from opposition parties, civil society organisations, and now the religious leadership to withdraw the Bill. Critics argue that the proposed law could undermine investment confidence, restrict civic space, and weaken national cohesion.