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President Yoweri Museveni has sought to distance himself from the version of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill that has triggered criticism from opposition lawmakers and economists, saying the legislation currently attracting backlash is not the draft he initiated.

The bill has faced pushback from several MPs, who argue that it could cut off opposition parties and civil society groups from foreign funding. Bank of Uganda Governor Michael Atingi-Ego has also raised concerns, warning that broad restrictions on financial inflows could undermine the country’s ability to build foreign reserves.

In a statement addressed to Ugandans, Museveni said his proposal was never intended to restrict foreign direct investment, remittances, church donations or other private money transfers. Instead, he said, his original idea focused narrowly on protecting Uganda’s sovereignty in policy-making.

Museveni says his version has been misrepresented

• Rejects claims that his proposed bill would block foreign investment, remittances or church funding
• Says the public debate is centred on a version of the bill that differs from the one he initiated
• Argues that his intention was to safeguard national decision-making from foreign influence
• Insists the legislation should focus on policy sovereignty rather than private financial flows

Rooted in Africa’s anti-colonial history

• Frames the proposal within Africa’s long struggle against colonialism and external control
• Says sovereignty was won through decades of liberation movements across the continent
• References Pan-Africanist thought and anti-colonial resistance as historical justification
• Argues that political independence should include freedom from outside influence over domestic decisions

What Museveni means by sovereignty

• Defines sovereignty as the right to make national decisions without external pressure
• Applies the idea to political, social, economic, and diplomatic choices
• Cites examples such as parliamentary representation, privatisation, and foreign policy positions
• Says countries should be free to make their own decisions—even if they later prove imperfect

Focus on influence, not capital flows

• Draws a distinction between foreign influence over policy and legitimate financial activity
• Says legally earned money should continue moving freely into and out of Uganda
• Maintains that remittances, private investment, and church donations should remain unaffected
• Suggests the concern is funding intended to shape political or ideological outcomes

Constitution and democratic choice

• Points to elections and referenda as the constitutional basis for exercising sovereignty
• Says national choices should be shaped by Ugandans rather than external actors.
• Warns that foreign-funded influence can distort domestic political debate
• Links Uganda’s past instability to identity politics rooted in tribe, religion, and division

Parliament asked to narrow the bill

• Says he has spoken to Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua and parliamentary committee leaders
• Wants lawmakers to keep the bill tightly focused on policy sovereignty
• Urges Parliament to avoid extending it into areas involving remittances, church donations, or private capital
• Signals concern that the legislation may have drifted beyond its original purpose.

Closing message

• Encourages influence through persuasion rather than coercion
• References Matthew 5:16 as a model for leading by example
• Ends with a call for African self-determination and unity

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