'Foreigner' or Citizen? Uganda’s Sovereignty Bill Redefines Loyalty and Threatens Livelihoods

In Uganda, a new bill is turning heads, and not for the right reasons. The Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 proposes a definition of "foreigner" so broad it could ensnare not just non-citizens, but Ugandan citizens living abroad, students, business people, and even diaspora communities sending money home. Under this law, anyone with ties to foreign funding or influence could be labeled a "foreign agent," forcing them to register with the government or face severe restrictions.

For a country where remittances from the diaspora are a lifeline, supporting families, businesses, and local economies, this bill risks cutting off a vital financial artery. But the threat doesn’t stop there. Civil society groups, NGOs, and opposition voices, many of which rely on international support to operate, could find themselves silenced. Critics warn that the bill is less about protecting sovereignty and more about controlling dissent and tightening the government’s grip on power.

Remittances from the diaspora: a vital financial artery

As Uganda stands at this crossroads, the question isn’t just about who is a foreigner, but about who gets to shape the country’s future. One thing is clear: the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Read more in this AP investigation.