A. ACTS AND BILLS OF PARLIAMENT

1. The Protection of Sovereignty Act, Act No. 7 of 2026

The Protection of Sovereignty Act, Act No. 7 of 2026 (“the Sovereignty Act”) was passed by the Parliament of Uganda, received Presidential assent on 17th May 2026 and came into force on 22nd May 2026.

The Sovereignty Act principally regulates agents of foreigners who are involved in political activities. It does this by defining foreigners and their agents; by restricting political activities in which agents of foreigners may participate; by requiring agents of foreigners to register with and submit returns to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and by requiring agents to declare foreign funding above a defined threshold.

“Foreigners” are defined as non-Ugandan citizens, foreign governments, consulates, high commissions, embassies and other incorporated or registered outside Uganda, and international or multinational organizations which are involved in the political activities specified under section 2(2) of the Sovereignty Act.

The term “agent of a foreigner” encompasses agents, representatives, employees, persons acting under the control of or being financed by foreigners, who participate in regulated activities under the Sovereignty Act. Such activities include influencing and attempting to influence the enactment of legislation, policy formulation, or decision-making by the Government or the people of Uganda.

They extend to mobilizing election funding, conducting election campaigns, attempting to influence election outcomes or public opinion on the Government of Uganda and exercising ideological influence that is inconsistent with Uganda’s cultural and customary norms.

The Sovereignty Act exempts funds received from foreigners by: (i) supervised financial institutions and other entities regulated by an Act of Parliament for commercial, licensed, and permitted activities; (ii) health and medical facilities for lawful purposes; (iii) academic or research institutions; (iv) individuals for commercial, domestic, or family use; and (v) faith-based organizations for activities connected to their mission. It also expressly excludes lawful foreign direct investment, portfolio investment, diaspora remittances, export proceeds, trade finance, commercial loans, humanitarian and technical assistance, grants, concessional financing, development assistance, and other lawful foreign exchange inflows and outflows. The Sovereignty Act also exempts foreign funding to government institutions or other bodies where the Government has an interest.

Administratively, the Sovereignty Act falls under the mandate of the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Department responsible for peace and security within that Ministry. The Minister must exercise his powers under the Act in accordance with the rules of natural justice. At the time of reporting, the Minister is yet to issue the Regulations to operationalize the Sovereignty Act.

Any person acting as an agent of a foreigner must register with, and obtain a certificate of registration from, the Department responsible for peace and security. Failure to do so is an offence and, upon conviction, may result in a fine of up to UGX 1,000,000,000 (Uganda Shillings One Billion Only), imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. The Minister and the Department have discretion to approve or reject an application. Where an application is rejected, the Minister must provide reasons for the decision.

Certificates of registration are valid for two years from the date of issue and may be renewed if the holder demonstrates compliance with the applicable conditions. Renewal applications must be submitted at least three months before expiry.

The Minister may suspend or revoke a certificate of registration where the holder: (i) provided false or misleading information in the registration application; (ii) failed to comply with the terms of registration; (iii) committed an offence under the Sovereignty Act; (iv) became insolvent or was placed under administration; (v) posed a risk to national or communal security; or (vi) engaged in disruptive activities.

The Sovereignty Act requires agents of foreigners to submit returns to the Minister, detailing their operations and the amount of funds received, together with the purpose of such funds. The frequency and procedure of such declarations is subject to Regulations, which are yet to be issued at the time of reporting.

An agent of a foreigner who receives more than UGX 400,000,000 (Uganda Shillings Four Hundred Million Only) from a foreigner within a twelve-month period, whether in cash or in kind, must declare the source of those funds to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Failure to comply is an offence and, upon conviction, attracts a fine of up to UGX 2,000,000,000/- (Uganda Shillings Two Billion Only) for a legal entity, or up to UGX 1,000,000,000/- (Uganda Shillings One Billion Only), imprisonment for up to ten years, or both, for an individual. Any money received in contravention of the requirement to declare the source of funds is forfeited to the State by order of the convicting Court.

It is also an offence to make a false misleading declaration of funding sources. Upon conviction, the offender may be fined up to UGX 1,440,000 (Uganda Shillings One Million Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Only), imprisoned for up to five years, or both.

The Sovereignty Act also criminalizes solicitation and procurement of funds, financial support and other assistance from a foreign government, institution, The Sovereignty Act also criminalizes solicitation and procurement of funds, financial support and other assistance from a foreign government, institution, 3 body or person who demonstrates an intention to overthrow the established Government of Uganda or to endanger the security of Uganda; or to participate or recruit any person to participate in disruptive activities. This offence, on conviction, attracts a fine of up to UGX 1,000,000,000/- (Uganda Shillings One Billion Only), imprisonment for up to ten years, or both. Money, funds and assistance received in contravention of this provision is forfeited to the State by order of the convicting Court.