Uganda - April 2026

On 15 April, the government tabled the Protection of Sovereignty Bill in parliament, proposing strict controls on foreign funding of non-profits and broad restrictions on those deemed to act as agents of a foreigner. The original text defined a foreigner to include Ugandan citizens living abroad, set penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, and gave the internal affairs minister wide discretion, including powers to inspect premises without a court order. Opposition members of parliament, civil society groups and the Uganda Bankers’ Association and the Uganda Law Society argued it would criminalize ordinary civic activity and disrupt remittances. Human rights experts likened it to foreign-agent laws used elsewhere to suppress dissent and urged its withdrawal. After public criticism, the government on 30 April narrowed several provisions, deleting the clause treating the diaspora as foreigners and the broad definition of an agent. Parliament was due to consider the amended bill on 5 May.  

Sources: AP News, International Crisis Group, Human Rights Watch, Article 19 (1), Article 19 (2), Parliament of the Republic of Uganda