Museveni Signs Protection of Sovereignty Act 2026 into Law

President Yoweri Museveni has officially assented to the Protection of Sovereignty Act, 2026, making it the very first piece of legislation enacted during his seventh constitutional term in office.

The rapid executive action comes just five days after his high-profile inauguration on May 12 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, signaling a aggressive legislative start to a term the President has promised will focus on tighter accountability and state oversight.

According to a statement issued by State House, the new law is a strategic measure designed to insulate Uganda’s domestic politics and governance from external pressures amid shifting regional and global geopolitical dynamics.

The legal framework establishes a mandatory registration regime for any individual, organization, or entity operating as an “agent of a foreign entity,” placing strict regulations on external funding, grants, and other forms of international assistance.  

The enforcement and implementation of the Act have been placed directly under the department responsible for peace and security within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

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Government officials maintain that the law will protect Uganda’s policy independence as the country expands its international and regional partnerships, ensuring that all foreign-supported initiatives strictly align with national priorities and the constitutional order.  

However, the fast-tracked law has already drawn intense scrutiny from legal experts and political observers. Many view the legislation as a direct bid by the state to consolidate control over the country’s civic space and governance processes, effectively choking off external financial lifelines for independent watchdogs and civil society organizations.  

By prioritizing this security-heavy legislation within the opening days of his new five-year mandate, President Museveni has sent a definitive message to international partners and local actors alike: national sovereignty and state oversight over foreign-linked operations will remain the core pillars of his administration’s agenda.