Parliament opts to make a decision on the Sovereignty Bill

Added: 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]for his very loud submission.

[00:00:04]I'm a first time Yeah, loud. I heard him clearly. That's what loud means. I am a first time member of parliament like him and I've since learned how things are brought to parliament. Normally entities of government where government has invested there is an audit act. So we send the auditor general who reports to parliament on what has been found. I was advised that we don't just drop documents on the floor of Yes. And I'm telling you, I was advised. So, right honorable speaker and honorable colleagues, I would want to imagine that all the money that was audited, the auditor general can give a report on that.

[00:00:47]>> He has finished. You're putting order on who?

[00:00:50]>> Madame speaker, >> he has finished. Madame speaker and and under the constitution >> he finished.

[00:00:58]>> No, he gave is my good friend. He's my good friend.

[00:01:03]>> He finished >> and honorable members the chief advisor to government.

[00:01:11]>> Honorable members.

[00:01:14]Honorable members, I now put a question that the supplementary expendure schedule number five for financial year 2025 2026 and the contra the committee of Apply.

[00:02:03]Honorable members kindly seat.

[00:02:08]Am I sign Francis?

[00:02:17]Total recurrent expenditure and a supplementary expenditure schedule number five for the financial year 2025 2026.

[00:02:28]Honorable members, I propose a question that a total sum of Uganda shillings 894 billion 548,183,58 shillings be approved as a total recurrent expenditure under the supplementary expendure schedule. Number five for financial year 2025 2026.

[00:03:03]Those in favor say the cont.

[00:03:07]Have it.

[00:03:09]Honorable members, I now put a question that the total sum of Uganda shillings 8 94 billion 548,183,58 shillings be approved as a total current expenditure and the supplemental expenditure. Number five for financial year 2025 2026.

[00:03:42]Those in favor say the contrary name.

[00:03:45]>> The eyes have it.

[00:03:49]Toto to development expenditure and a supplementary expenditure schedule number five for the financial year 2025 2026.

[00:03:59]>> Can I have order?

[00:04:03]>> Can I have order?

[00:04:07]Honorable members, I propose a question that the total sum of Uganda shillings 210 billion 6 614,540,89 shillings be approved as a total development expenditure and a supplement mental expenditure schedule number five for financial year 2025 2026.

[00:04:43]Those in favor say on the cont.

[00:04:47]>> The eyes have it.

[00:04:57]Honorable members, I now put a question.

[00:05:04]that a total sum of Uganda shillings >> 210 billion 614 million 540,89 shillings be approved as a total development expenditure under the supplemental expendure budget schedule number five for financial year 2025 2026 Six. Those in favor say the contrary name.

[00:05:36]>> I >> the eyes have it.

[00:05:42]>> Grand total supplementary expenditure and a supplementary expenditure schedule number five for the financial year 2025 2026.

[00:05:52]>> Honorable members, I am going to miss some of you so much in the 12th parliament.

[00:06:00]You're such amazing guys.

[00:06:03]Honorable members, I propose a question that a grand total a grand total sum of Uganda shillings 1 trillion 105 billion 1062 million 724, 36 67 shillings be approved as a grand total and a supplementary expenditure schedule number five for 2026 2020 2025 2026 under the various votes that were deliberated or mentioned by the Minister of Finance and under the votes that are in the schedule. Those in favor say the contrary and nay. I >> the eyes have it.

[00:07:13]Honorable members, I now put a question that the grand total sum of Uganda shillings 1 trillion15 billion162,724,367 shillings be approved as a grand total supplemental expenditure and a supplemental expenditure schedule for number five for financial year 2025 2026 for the various votes that are in the schedule. Those in favor say the contra have it >> motion for the house to resume.

[00:08:00]Honorable Minister, >> right honorable chair, I beg to move a motion for the house to resume and the committee of supply reports there too.

[00:08:18]I put a question that the house resumes and the committee of supply reports there too. Those in favor say the contrary name.

[00:08:26]The eyes have it. Stand up.

[00:08:34]I'm standing.

[00:08:46]Please sit. Please sit.

[00:08:57]report of the committee of supply.

[00:09:00]Honorable Minister, >> Madame Speaker and honorable colleagues, I beg to report that the committee of supply has considered the supplementary schedule number five for financial year 2025 2026 amounting to Uganda shillings 1 trillion.

[00:09:30]105 billion60 2 million 700 24,367 shillings and passed it without amendments.

[00:09:52]>> Motion for adoption of the report of the committee of supply. The honorable minister.

[00:09:59]>> Uh, right honorable speaker, I beg to move a motion that the report from the committee of supply for schedule number five of financial year 2025 2026 be adopted.

[00:10:20]I put a question that the report of the committee of supply be adopted by this house. Those in favor sign the control name.

[00:10:30]I have it.

[00:10:36]Honorable member. Thank you. I'll instruct the cler to to capture the details and supply it to finance.

[00:10:46]Next item. Item 12 on the order paper.

[00:10:51]Bill second reading the protection of sovereignity bill 2026.

[00:11:28]Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[00:11:48]Honorable members, you recall that on Wednesday 15th, 2026, the Minister of Internal Affairs tabled the protection of sovereignty bill 2026 for the first reading.

[00:12:09]Pursuant to rule 135 of the rules of procedia of parliament, the bill was referred to a joint committee of defense and internal affairs and legal and parliamentary affairs.

[00:12:29]The committee has concluded the consideration of the bill and is ready to report and pass one to rule 1361 of the rules of procedia.

[00:12:46]I will invite the minister to move his motion for the second reading before I will give you to bring your issue. Please honorable let him first move then I'll give you to bring your issue.

[00:13:05]>> Okay.

[00:13:13]Thank you madam speaker.

[00:13:17]Madam speaker the bill you have invited this house to consider is a government bill.

[00:13:26]I saw a tweet by the head of government and a letter signed by retired general Yoi Kaguta Musevani Tibuhabura >> that's not part of the names.

[00:13:48]So in his letter, right honorable speaker, he actually disowned >> lo is it in his letter?

[00:13:56]>> Yes.

[00:13:57]>> Can I have >> Can you submit? Right honorable.

[00:13:59]>> No, I want us to talk with evidence. Can we lay the letter on table?

[00:14:03]>> I came prepared. Madam speaker, here is a copy of the letter. I am tableling it.

[00:14:06]>> I have never seen a letter from state house in white.

[00:14:14]Madame Speaker, this is a copy of the letter and I am tableling it. Normally we table documents then they can be processed and authenticated and so on.

[00:14:22]But let me raise the point I was raising. Madame speaker in this letter he disowned the bill that was tabled by the minister of state for internal affairs. In fact he was appalled wondering what it is that we were debating. Also what bothered me madame speaker in his letter he said he called the two chairpersons of committees regarding this bill. I don't know how procedurally that gets to be correct that now the executive gets to me directly because it should be you madam speaker to call chairpersons of committees guide them and so on but if they are getting guidance from the executive it's a problematic issue.

[00:15:08]Madame Speaker, the attorney general and the minister of state for internal affairs went back to the joint committee and they made amendments to majority of the clauses in the bill. Please note for those who have been following amendments to majority of the clauses in the bill for all intents and purposes madame speaker and colleagues this was now a new bill for all intents and purposes and and by the way there's precedents that have been set by this house even in the previous parliament where >> honorable members I want you to listen to lope lope is saying after >> let let me actually say what I am saying I'm glad you are protecting me from some noisy politics >> after this becomes a new bill what I would only ask did the new bill change the objective of the old bill you >> madam speaker and I'm glad you're asking that question because the entire foundation of the bill was torn apart And no wonder the initiator >> is a procedure procedure.

[00:16:27]>> But I I rose procedurally. Madam speaker procedure cannot counter procedure.

[00:16:31]>> I gave you space to speak. Not >> but I I raised >> an order.

[00:16:38]>> An order cannot honorable. You've been around for some time. You know that procedure takes precedence. You're going to mislead the new MPs who are coming in the 12th parliament.

[00:16:49]They they need to know and learn from people.

[00:16:52]Let let me proceed in honest. Madame speaker, >> but honorable love, I want to put this on record that we do not have a new bill. We only have one bill. I am the custodian of the law in parliament.

[00:17:10]If the president wanted to make a change in that in the law in the bill, the president ought to have informed me. I am not aware of that. It has not come to my attention.

[00:17:25]I am the one processing the bills here.

[00:17:28]So if he sent it for public and if he called the chairpersons, he's one of the Ugandans whom we should consult.

[00:17:40]>> Madame speaker, I'm glad you're saying you were not informed. And that's part of the problem I'm raising. Why was this house not informed? Especially because majority of the closes were amended.

[00:17:51]>> Madame speaker, please protect me from noisy colleagues.

[00:17:56]>> You you always tell us this is not colleagues. Please let honorable Lob finish let honorable Lob finish his submission.

[00:18:09]No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Honorable members, let's be calm.

[00:18:15]I am the custodian of the law here. I don't have a new law. I don't have a new bill. So after honorable has finished, I will ask the minister to move his bill. You finish.

[00:18:32]Thank you.

[00:18:34]So as I was saying, this is me saying and you will rule and guide for all intents and purposes.

[00:18:43]As far as I am concerned, this then became a new bill because majority of the clauses in the bill were changed and there's precedents where ministers have been told no those so many amendments just withdraw the bill and reintroduce it perhaps what the minister for internal affairs and attorney general should have done was to withdraw this bill.

[00:19:04]>> Honorable law my madam speaker you're not even allowing me to submit.

[00:19:08]Honorable let me submit. You're the one going to rule. Please. Honorable love, my brother. Honorable love. Honorable love.

[00:19:17]Honorable love.

[00:19:20]Can I have order?

[00:19:25]Can I have order?

[00:19:27]We have we have now started debating in anticipation.

[00:19:32]We don't know what the bill is. When the minister moves his bill, that's when we can reject.

[00:19:40]H please make my work easy.

[00:19:49]You know you leave honorable long to finish.

[00:19:57]Switch on.

[00:20:03]Madame speaker actually I am seeking to make your work easier. really if you capture what it is that I'm saying because they are moving it for the second time and for me what I was saying is he should have been moving to withdraw the bill that's my opinion and you're going to give your ruling madame speaker so I no but they called for reading of the bill for second and third reading >> okay >> so let let me finish the issue that for me I am raising >> okay >> madame speaker also What is >> what is the procedial matter that you are raising now?

[00:20:44]>> So the the the procedural matter I'm raising is shouldn't the minister of internal affairs be withdrawing his bill and then he goes back for consultation.

[00:20:54]>> Can I answer that first? Can I answer that first? Maybe it will form your second question that the Minister of Internal Affairs should be moving his motion for the second reading because as far as I know I have not been given another motion. I only have one motion.

[00:21:20]So you will move your sec motion for the second reading.

[00:21:28]Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I'm glad on record you have said you were not notified of a second one. That's something we are going to interrogate because like I'm saying, as far as some of us are concerned, it's a second one.

[00:21:39]Honorable speaker, the committee report to this bill here leaked and it is in the public domain.

[00:21:50]It was first shared on our parliament platforms. Media houses have shared it.

[00:21:55]It is all over speaker on 18th of January 2023 you were seated in the chair you seated in and I was standing on this very microphone. I was chairperson of Kosas.

[00:22:09]I rose to present a committee report for Kosas on Uganda Airlines and you said right honorable speaker I want to quote you verbatim what was on the hands.

[00:22:21]You said there was a leakage of the Uganda Airlines report. A property of this parliament cannot leak and we continue debating on it.

[00:22:31]Those were your exact words captured on the answer.

[00:22:36]Speaker, this report has leaked. So given that precedent which you said, are we going to go ahead and debate this leaked report?

[00:22:44]>> Thank you.

[00:22:45]>> Because the precedent was set by yourself.

[00:22:49]First of all, honorable members in the VIP gallery, I want to introduce honorable MP from Buende.

[00:23:04]You're most welcome.

[00:23:06]Honorable Naku Fiona, the elect for workers. Most welcome Fiona Naku.

[00:23:15]And then we have honorable sea good Robert representing people with disability national.

[00:23:23]You're also most welcome. I have honorable mbeiam and honorable Emily Otat.

[00:23:42]Honorable members, I want to refer you to rule 14.

[00:23:52]The report of the committee on bills shall and I'm saying shall be uploaded on the parliamentary information system for the information of members before the report is laid on table that is 214A.

[00:24:19]This report that was uploaded had my signature.

[00:24:25]I even said please place it on the order paper with my ver able signature.

[00:24:34]The report of airlines that got out did not have my signature. I am the only one who can sanction a document to be uploaded which I did. So the report was not leaked out. Can you move your motion?

[00:25:09]Right honorable speaker and honorable members, in keeping with rule 130 of the rules of procedure of this parliament, I beg to move that the bill entitled the protection of sovereignty bill 2026 be read the second time.

[00:25:37]>> Seconded Seconded by the vice president of Republic of Uganda, Honorable Jessica Alupo, retired. Honorable Prime Minister, honorable Navajo Robin, honorable sec second Haj. Third, third government chief whip, minister of defense, minister of inter of security, minister of ICT, minister of finance, minister of works, minister of of sports and the hollow house on this side.

[00:26:28]and e and part part of that house part of the other side including Rogayo.

[00:26:42]Thank you. Thank you. Would you want to speak to your motion?

[00:26:49]Right honorable speaker and honorable members, >> can I first have a justification before you you bring the procedure?

[00:27:02]Right honorable speaker and honorable members, the object of this bill is that um the country faces a number of challenges which threaten our ability to self-govern in the absence of a sovereign and specific law which this law seeks to address. And these include uh preventing undue external influence uh regulating foreign funding, safeguarding national security, filling legal gaps and managing digital misinformation. I beg to move.

[00:27:34]>> Thank you honor members.

[00:27:40]I want to provide some guidance in this.

[00:27:49]Honor members, the the chairpersons of the committees have prepared the report and I wish to guide as follows.

[00:28:00]From the time the bill was tabled for the first reading, there's been a very remarkable public interest in it.

[00:28:10]A review of the committee report reveals that more than 60 step witnesses were accorded opportunity to present their views on the bill including persons and institutions.

[00:28:30]These answers and questions on whether there was sufficient public consultation or not.

[00:28:38]I commend the committee for upholding our cardinal principle of public participation.

[00:28:48]Two, there was a considerable debate on the content of the bill, notably the definition of the word foreigner, the scope of application of this bill, the regulatory prudence envisaged in administration and functions, the proposed penalties, the criminal the criminal offenses regul regulations of foreign policies, registration of agents of foreigners, declaration of foreign funding and ministerial powers among others.

[00:29:31]I have reviewed the report. The committee has established that the contentious matters have been exhaustively handled and addressed as per the public interest.

[00:29:51]The definition of a foreigner for instance was initially brought in a way that was not appealing to the people but the committee has handled now I want I want members there's no procedure I'm giving you guidance I know I'm touching on your minorities honorable members I am giving 30 minutes for the major report to be presented and I am saying 30 minutes where is the chair and I will also give I am aware that is a minority report it doesn't matter matter whether minorities or minority I am also giving the minority or minorities 30 minutes if you have 10 minorities you'll divide 30 minutes by 10 and you'll have three honorable chair enhanced I want timing Let him read his report then you'll bring pro. I don't want you to waste his time. I know you you want to you want to exercise your law that you're learning now. You first wait.

[00:31:37]First wait.

[00:31:40]First wait. H first wait.

[00:31:44]I have given you 30 minutes.

[00:31:46]>> Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[00:31:49]Right honorable speaker for the record my name is Wilson Kaj member of parliament constituency and chairperson of defense and internal affairs committee I'll be assisted by my colleague the chair honorable baka Steven Mugabi chairperson legal and parliamental affairs may I take the honor to to lay on the table the minutes of the committee the joint committees while processing and considering this report.

[00:32:23]>> Thank youable speaker.

[00:32:27]>> Indeed, I'll take the 30 minutes.

[00:32:32]Honorable speaker on Wednesday 15th April 2026 the protection of sovereignity bill 2026 was read for the first time under rule 1351 of the rules of procedure of parliament.

[00:32:50]You referred to the joint committee made up of committees of defense and internal affairs and the committee on legal and parliament affairs for scrutiny and report. We are now reporting under the same rule of procedure. Right honorable speaker, the joint committee here referred to as the committee has examined the bill taking into account submissions from stakeholders and now presents this report.

[00:33:19]This report sets the committee's analysis of the bill's objectives, the key provisions, likely effects together with a synthesis of stakeholder views and committee's recommendations to parliament. The object of the bill, the object of the bill is to enact a law that seeks to provide for the protection of the sovereignity of the people of Uganda.

[00:33:49]Two, to designate the department responsible for peace and security and the responsible entity for the registration and regulation of agents of foreigners. Three, to provide for the protection of the sovereignity of Uganda and provide for the registration of agents of foreigners and to regulate the funding and any other assistance to agents of foreigners and for the related matters. defects in the existing law.

[00:34:21]The bill identifies principle defect in the existing law framework legal framework as the absence of a specific law operationalizing the protection of Uganda's sovereignity which has allowed continued external interference in the government policies and programs. In particular, it points out the increasing influence of foreign actors and their agents in shaping policy and development priorities, often through conditional grant, conditional funding and parallel programs that conflict with national objectives. It further highlights inadequate regulation of civil society organizations especially those receiving foreign funding leading to concerns about transparency and alignment with national objectives. Additionally, the bill notes the growing use of digital platforms, foreign actors to by foreign actors to spread misinformation and incite social discord collectively undermining Uganda's ability to selfgovern independently and safeguard its political, economic and social stability. Right honorable speaker, what method did we use? Methodology In considering the protection of sovereign bill 2026, the committee undertook an extensive and transparent stakeholder engagement process to ensure broad participation. Public notices were published in the dailies I mean vision and monitor on 17th April. We invited memoranda and views from all interested parties. This was to facilitate meaningful input. The committee suspended the seings for one week to allow stakeholders adequate time to prepare and submit written memoranda upon resumption on 24th of April. Right honorable speaker and honorable colleagues stakeholders who had expressed interest were accorded opportunity to present their views. The committee engaged them directly seeking clarifications where necessary. In total, and this is unprecedented, right, honorable speaker and honorable colleagues, in total, the committee interfaced with 224 stakeholders clusted clustered under 60 groups drawn from diverse sectors in the diaspora. The global forum Uganda Diaspora Council whose memoranda included views of Ugandans drawn from 32 countries across all regions that gave their perspectives on the bill.

[00:37:12]In addition to the hearing from stakeholders who appeared before the committee, the committee also took into account the perspectives shared by his excellency the president in his guidance to the nation through his letter particularly that was addressed to the bas regarding the bill.

[00:37:33]Following these engagements, right honorable speaker, the committee held further sittings during which the learned attorney general responded to the stakeholder concerns and proposed refinements to the bill. The interactive process ensured that the review incorporated both legal scrutiny and practical implementation considerations.

[00:37:56]This structured approach characterized by open invitations, dedicated submission time, inclusive hearings, responsible dialogue demonstrates that the committee's work was informed by a wide participatory and national representative consultation process.

[00:38:15]The stakeholders the committee interfaced with include the following. It is important right honorable speaker that this goes on record.

[00:38:26]We have clustered them like this. We had stakeholders honorable speaker that Uganda People's Congress appeared and gave their views and that the leader of opposition also appeared and gave his views.

[00:38:44]I'm mentioning it for the capture of the handset.

[00:38:47]We also entertained We also entertained private sector and business associations that include the Chamber of Commerce, Compara Arcade Traders Association, Compara City Traders Association, Uganda Small Scale Industries Association, Uganda National Traders Association, the Gen Z's Business Owners Association, Innovation Village, the Startup Ecosystem, and the Independent Private Sector Consultants.

[00:39:17]We did not stop there. We entertained financial, insurance, economic sector actors. These include the sector specific institutional stakeholders that include Uganda Bankers Association, supervised financial institutions like banks, mobile money operators via sector uh submissions. We also entertained payment service providers association.

[00:39:41]We also entertained Uganda Forex Bureau and money remittances association.

[00:39:47]They too appeared and gave their views.

[00:39:49]We also considered digital telecom media actors in communication broadcasting and digital economy include communication sector operators, national association of broadcasters, media practitioners, journalists and journalism practitioners. We also entertained civil society and non-government organizations both domestic and inter international civic actors that include anti-corruption coalition of Uganda foundation for human rights initiative legal aid service providers association the Rotary of Uganda women proono initiative country directors of international network and various national nos also submitted we also entertained International organizations and development actors under this multinational organizations and international cooperation actors these include United Nations country team international NGO community collectively represented we did not stop there right honorable speaker and honorable colleagues we entertained a labor religious and social institutions that include not two that include interreligious council of Uganda that include Muslim organizations coalition and other faith-based organizations. We entertained health scientific community and public health research institutions, eg Uganda Medical Association, Uganda Virus Research Institute, people's living with HIV advocacy groups. We also entertained education and academic sector that include material university academic staff association, universities and academic researchers, student groups and members of the guild also submitted national union of disabled persons of Uganda, Uganda lawyers voice on climate change, gender rights and advocacy climate advocacy groups. We also entertained diaspora transnational communities, Ugandan actors, the global forum. This is an organization that groups all Ugandans in the diaspora. The CHO association. NUP diaspora chapter. Individual diaspora submissions. We went further and entertained professional and individual submissions. These are unaffiliated and crosscutting independent consultants, individual citizens, business professionals, researchers. Right honorable speaker, we consulted documents.

[00:42:28]Consequently, the committee recommendations reflect a balanced synthesis of stakeholder perspectives in the key findings and salient observations. Right honorable speaker, permit me to present key findings and silent observations on the sovereign protection bill of 2026.

[00:42:49]Introductory consideration looking at the scope and interpretation of clause two before presenting its findings. The committee found it prudent to clarify the key interpretive issue of clause two which is application of the bill. close to sits at the core of the legislative framework and it defines the reach of the law and determines who is regulated and what circumstances and for what conduct. The committee reviewed the honorable attorney general's comments noting that clause 2 limits the bill to specific activities tied to foreign influence. According to the learned attorney general interpretation, the bill does not apply to a persons generally to all persons generally that it applies only with persons acting as agents of foreign actors and that even then only where such a persons engage in specific conduct including influencing government policy, political processes or public decision making for the interest of foreigners. The attorney general clarified that clause two is meant to limit the bill not to expand it. He guided that it applies only to agents of foreign actors and only when they engage in specific influence related activities eg affecting government policy policies or public decision making. In addition, the learned attorney general noted that the bill is activity based not identity based. So ordinary transactions like remittances, businesses, family support are excluded unless tied to regulated influence. On this reading, the bill presented a targeted regulatory instrument aimed at structured foreign influence operations rather than legitimate international engagement. However, the committee observes that this interpretation while persuasive as a matter of policy intent is not shared by the majority of stakeholders. There is a gap between the ages intended narrow scope and how the bill is actually drafted. When clause 2 is read together with broad definitions in clause one and the expansive list of activities including concepts such as influencing public opinion and activities that the minister may prescribe, stakeholders interpreted the bill as having a much wider um practical effect. The East African Law Society for example in their submission warned that the term agent of a foreigner in close to could apply to regular economic professional and family connections such as employees of foreign businesses, traders and those receiving support from relatives abroad. The law development center noted that in close that close to does not distinguish harmful actions from lawful ones. So the people could be held liable simply because of their associations not because they caused any actual harm. The this divergence right honorable speaker and honorable colleagues reveals a fundamental issue.

[00:46:03]The intended limitations of close two are not sufficiently clear on the face of the law creating uncertainty as the as to the boundary between harmful foreign influence and legitimate activity. While the attorney general maintains that clause two limits application specific regul regulated activities stakeholders consistently note that this limit limitation is not clearly reflected in drafting. Therefore the committee found that the line between harmful foreign interference and legitimate activities is unclear. Close to is meant as a safeguard but not effectively to limit the bill. This gap policy and the law shapes all the committee subsequent findings.

[00:46:54]5.2 Understanding sovereignity. We looked at what the 1995 constitution says versus what the bill proposes.

[00:47:04]Sovereignity under the 1995 constitution has amended. This committee discussed sovereignity referencing the constitution of the republic of Uganda.

[00:47:14]here in the protection of the sovereignity bill 2026. The committee further notes that sovereignty has two dimensions. a popular one where power ultimately rests with the people and security dimension where the state exercises authority safeguard national interest. We looked at a leading jurist Justice Oliver Wend Holmes J 1841 1932 a renowned American jurist who served as a Supreme Court judge who described sovereignity in similar terms.

[00:48:09]Justice Wend Holmes perceives sovereignity as the ultimate practical power of the state to govern and maintain order grounded in the historic and social necessity for societal existence and survival.

[00:48:27]The state action is therefore legitimate only when it maintains grounded in popular sovereignty. Guided by this understanding, honor honorable speaker and honorable colleagues, the committee observed that the bill introduces a strong emphasis on shielding Uganda from foreign influence and expands the state's regulatory powers over political and civic activity. Summary, the bill aims to protect the sovereign of the people, prevent foreign interference on governance, and the key features include restricting activities that promote foreign interests, which can be gotten from clause 5, restricting non-state actors from performing government functions, which is clause six, criminalizing interference in elections and government operations, which is clause 1 to and regulating foreign funding and civil society activities and restricting interference.

[00:49:29]>> Is it one or 11 to 13?

[00:49:31]>> 11. I beg your pardon. 11 to 13.

[00:49:34]Restricting interference of government policy. The committee therefore found that the constitution grants grants ultimate authority to the people with a government acting as a trustee. The protection of sovereignity bill 2026 regards the state as primary guardian of sovereignity and adopts a a cautious approach to foreign linked actors.

[00:50:00]Whereas the constitution vests sovereignity in the people of Uganda, the bill focuses on the protection of sovereignity through state action, reframing sovereignity in the security terms and promoting stricter regulation of foreign influence. We looked at broad definitions and the scope. The committee found that the bill definition of foreigner and the agent of a foreigner are over broad and as defined in the bill it wrongly includes Ugandans living abroad.

[00:50:35]It wrongly includes students. It wrongly includes researchers. It wrongly includes professionals working in international partners. It wrongly includes government ministries, departments and agencies exercising regulatory authority under any act of parliament and organizations and companies that simply have foreign investors or crossber businesses.

[00:51:02]Instead of targeting harmful foreign interference, the bill inadvertently ends up covering normal economic, academic and community activities. This right honorable speaker and honorable colleagues blurs the line between harmful foreign interference and ordinary lawful activities. It making everyday economic, academic and civ engagements legally risky. Clause one and two are specifically powerful in determining who is regulated and punished and even raising constitutional questions about citizenship by classifying Ugandans abroad as foreigners. Stakeholders warned that this could criminalize normal cooperation such as research, education and diaspora support. In fact, the law environment center has termed it as regulatory contamination where indirect foreign links extend liability across entire economic and social chains. The committee therefore recommends one that to restore legal precision to ensure proportionality and to align the bill with constitutional principles and practical realities. The committee recommends the following. Amend the definition of a foreigner to limit it to a non to nonitizens and foreign registered companies.

[00:52:28]Amend the definition of agent of a foreigner to include people who formally and knowingly act on behalf of a foreigner to influence public policy, elections or national security.

[00:52:44]Insert new definitions of words and phrases used in the bill to improve clarity.

[00:52:52]Insert an intent requirement which the land colleagues call men's rare sole liability only arises with deliberate influence.

[00:53:06]Five, insert a clause explicitly protecting legitimate economic, academic, humanitarian, developmental and civic activities to pres prevent misinterpretation and ensure lawful activities are not captured by the bill.

[00:53:25]5.4 Creation of a paral regulatory regime. The committee observed that the bill could get a new approval and monitoring system under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. However, many sectors in Uganda already tightly supervised by strong regulators including these include Bank of Uganda, Financial Intelligence Authority, the Uganda Communications Commission, Insurance Regulatory Authority and University Councils. stakeholders argued that the bill repeats work already done by these regulators and may create conflicting rules instead of improving oversight. This duplication can lead to confusion about which rules apply multiple reporting requirements and uncertainty for businesses and institutions. For example, both telecommunications and banking sectors already operate under strict regulatory systems. Adding another regulator with similar powers could disrupt systems that are currently functioning well. The committee notes that these sectors are already governed by detailed laws and licensing frameworks.

[00:54:38]Stakeholders also warn that the bill could create a parallel system quote unquote run by security link linked department that may not have taken coexertise of existing regulators. Media organizations too pointed out that the issues such as foreign funding, transparency, external influence are already addressed under current laws including anti-money laundering legislation and the NGO regulation. the private sector representatives highlight the economic impact of the bill more certainly more uncert more uncertainty more regulators to certify and higher costs of doing business stakeholders caution that the bill risks creating dup duplication institutional conflict and opportunities for forum shopping. The committee recommends therefore that in light of these concerns, the committee recommends that all institutions and individuals already supervised by a regulator established under an act of parliament should be exempted from the bill.

[00:55:53]Concentration of exugive power in the minister. The bill gives the minister responsible for internal affairs wide and layered powers. These include authority to one define the key terms used in the law, two approve or reject the foreign funding, three register or cancel organizations and determine how the law will operate through regulations. The committee notes that while each of these powers may be common in isolation, their combination in a single office creates a system where participation in economic, civic or institutional activities depends heavily on the minister's approval. This raises a deeper constitutional concern not just about administrative efficiency but about the overall design of governance. The committee elaborates these issues under three major themes from regulatory oversight to discretionary control where uh stakeholders observed that the minister's power and the role goes beyond implementing the law. The minister effectively controls access to the law itself and the minister can decide who falls under the law, who controls access to funding, grant or withdraw legal status and shape how the law functions in practice. This we noted it risks running turning the framework into permissionbased system where individuals and organizations must seek approval to operate instead of flowing clear predictable rules. It also has constitutional implications.

[00:57:39]This concentration of assault raises significant instit constitutional concerns. It weakens the separation of powers by placing too much control in one office. It reduces checks and balances from independent institutions.

[00:57:54]It increases the risk of unfair or arbitrary decisions specific especially where the bill lacks clear procedures, timelines or appeal mechanisms. A system that relies on discretion rather than clear rules undermines legal authority.

[00:58:12]No, I beg you pardon. Undermines legal certainty and public trust. We also looked at reframing sovereignity.

[00:58:20]The committees notes that many legal and governance admissions view this more than an administrative matter. They see it as a shift in how sovereignity is exercised instead of power flowing through established institutions and the people.

[00:58:38]It risks being concentrated in one single office. From human rights perspectives, any limitation on rights must meet three tests. one legality, necessity, proportionality. The bill does not clearly demonstrate how these standards are satisfied.

[00:58:58]We therefore recommend the committee recommends that to preserve the bill's objective I be.

[00:59:18]Can I conclude? Thank you. Let me read.

[00:59:24]>> Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[00:59:29]How many minutes do you want to conclude?

[00:59:32]>> I need five minutes and I conclude.

[00:59:33]>> Five minutes. I'll add the other side also. Five.

[00:59:38]Okay. The committee recommen committee recommendations to preserve the bill's objective while restoring institutional balance and constitutional compliance. The committee recommends the following amendments.

[00:59:59]One, limit the application of the bill to honorary agents of a foreigner.

[01:00:06]Exclude the application of the bill to Ugandan citizen residing outside Uganda.

[01:00:14]Remove the power of the minister to declare any person a foreigner. Remove the restriction on recruitment and employment of a person who are abboard from disruptive who are abroad from disruptive activities.

[01:00:30]Provide for the elements of an offense.

[01:00:34]Avoid unnecessary bureaucracy in the implementation of the policy. Replace ministerial approvals with declaration of funds to the relevant regulator.

[01:00:47]We looked at uh disruption of financial and economic systems.

[01:00:53]We also have recommendations on that one. We to safeguard national interests without disrupting financial systems. The committee recommends shifting from broad approval based controls to a targeted riskbased approach by one protect everyday financial flaws by exempting personal remittances, routine banking transactions and legitimate business financing.

[01:01:32]Replace blanket approvals with disclosure requirements.

[01:01:39]Reserving prior approval only for high-risk activities such as funding linked to political influence.

[01:01:49]Adopting a flexible risk based declaration system developed with financial regulators and aligned with existing antimoney laundering frameworks. We looked at the vagueness and criminalization of risks.

[01:02:07]Right honorable speaker, we recommend that we align to to align the bill with constitutional requirements of legality and certainity.

[01:02:17]The committee recommends the following amendments under vagueness and criminalization risks.

[01:02:25]The committee recommends clearly define all criminal offenses specifying prohibited conduct and the required intent and the harm addressed.

[01:02:39]Reduce the penalty of 20 years to 10 years and a fine in the case of legal entity for 200,000 currency points to 1,000 currency points.

[01:02:52]limit offense to conduct that limit offenses to conduct that pose poses a real and a demonstrable threat to national interests. A health and medical facilities legally operating in Uganda be exempted from the bill.

[01:03:14]We examined the certificate of financial implications because this is a requirement of public finance management act.

[01:03:25]We looked at the cost.

[01:03:28]Right honorable speaker, we interrogated it. Actually the details are there.

[01:03:38]We noted, we concluded that therefore since in conclusion, right honorable speaker, in conclusion, the committee undertook extensive consultations and the views received reveal a shared concern across all submissions.

[01:04:13]There is broad agreement on four key points. The bill's objectives is legitimate, but the definitions and applications are overly broad. The regulatory approach duplicates existing legal institutional frameworks. Excess power is concentrated in the minister and the bill's impact could extend across entire economy. In response to the above and concerns, we interacted with the landed attorney general again.

[01:04:44]And now we conclude that the committee therefore recommends that the bill proceed to second reading subject to proposed amendments attached there to any further improvements this August House may consider appropriate.

[01:05:04]Honor, honorable, honorable, right honorable speaker, >> I want I want this this part where you interacted with the governor of Bank of Uganda.

[01:05:21]Okay. In response to the concerns, the attorney general proposed areas for review which were supposed supported by the Bank of Uganda.

[01:05:37]The committee has carefully considered these proposals. We have also incorporated these amendments where applicable in the bill.

[01:05:48]I want to report that yes we interacted with the governor bank of Uganda actually twice after we had gotten proposals. We flashed to to him and the governor bank of Uganda also agreed with the committee and send us sent a small and sent us more amendments which we incorporated.

[01:06:11]>> Thank you.

[01:06:11]>> I need to report >> Thank you. I need to report however that this majority report that was signed by more than three quarters membership also has minority reports. In fact, I because it's my duty as the reader of the majority report to report the house that we have five minority reports.

[01:06:40]>> Five minority reports.

[01:06:42]>> Five. I beg to report. Right honorable speaker.

[01:06:45]>> Thank you. Can I have now the minority report? Thank you. Thank you.

[01:06:52]Thank you.

[01:06:56]Right honorable speaker, I present this minority report and we have agreed with our colleagues who also desented that this will be the order of presentation.

[01:07:15]I'll present first followed by honorable Wilfred Nwagava to be followed by honorable Gilbert Ola to be followed by honorable Abdullah Kiwanuka to be followed by honorable Betty Nambos and lastly the honorable medadona Luba and we have >> and the rules of the time still apply.

[01:07:41]Before I begin to present, if you may allow, I can address you on that. When a member of a committee descends singularly, the weight of the report demands that we be accorded the same time frame. Madame speaker, >> which rule is that? Which rule is that?

[01:08:02]Under rule 215 sub rule three it says that a member desenting all members and the reasons are in this report.

[01:08:14]Madame speaker you'll see if I may advise you briefly in the committee >> I am giving you 35 minutes.

[01:08:26]This is a all of you honorable members. Before we continue, we have honorable Tim Bernard from Marusi. Welcome honorable Tim and then honorable Timas Peace from Ginger.

[01:08:45]Welcome.

[01:08:47]And here join me in welcoming our new members.

[01:08:53]Yes.

[01:08:58]This is a minority report, Madame Speaker, in substantial descent of the majority report of the committee of defense and internal affairs.

[01:09:12]Honorable members, can we listen to the report and the committee on legal and parliamentary affairs on the protection of sovereignity bill 2026, this minority report is brought under rule 215 of our rules of procedure of parliament.

[01:09:34]In the opening remarks, Madame Speaker, it is critical that today when a draconian bill is presented to this parliament for enactment into law, the minority is persuaded by some of the most memorable speeches in the political history of Uganda. Honorable members of parliament, please pay attention to the contents of this speech attributed to President Yoer Kagot Musevani in the early 1990 laws on our statute books which serve the interest of the minority against the majority of their people or in which any way promote to serve the injustice or advance backward interest in our society. We close the quote. The minority shall where necessary refer to the speech above for the purpose of matters as legislators and fellow Ugandans. and four.

[01:10:42]Right honorable speaker, but uh we want to benefit from the citation.

[01:10:54]When you're citing, you're quoting somebody. You've stated the date. You could also tell us where that speech was. You can find the sauce.

[01:11:17]Right honorable speaker, I am well conversant with the rules of procedure of this house. That's why I've confined myself to this report. I will be available to clarify if necessary.

[01:11:28]Members can listen. I will respond to you. Thank you.

[01:11:41]>> The minority report where necessary shall refer to the speech above for the purpose of reminding ourselves as legislators can >> and fellow Ugandans have a copy. Can I have a copy?

[01:11:54]Yeah.

[01:11:56]Me I don't me I'm analog and fellow Ugandans for we have come from the far we have come and there apparent Uturns and reversals that are being made for whatever reasons being advanced which reasons have no place in shaping the sovereignity of the people of Uganda areas of descent and statement of reasons for descent area 3.1 violations of the rules of procedure of parliament madame speaker during the consideration of the protection of sovereignity bill 2026 the co-chair persons violated several provisions of the rules of procedure of parliament of Uganda rule 135 of the rules of procedure is instructive on reference of a bill to the committee as follows. Sub rule one, whenever the bill is read for the first time in the house, the bill shall be referred to the appropriate committee appointed under these rules.

[01:13:06]Sub rule two, the committee shall examine the bill in detail and make all such inquiries rel in relation to the bill as the committee considers expedient or necessary and report to the house within 45 days from the date the bill is referred. Three, except in the cases of very minor amendments and subject to rule 138, all proposed amendments to a bill referred to the committee shall be presented by the to the committee by the person proposing the amendment and the committee shall scrutinize the amendment together with the bill. Four, the committee may propose and accept proposed amendments in the bill as the committee considers necessary if the amendments including new closes and new schedule are relevant to the bill. The minority observes that the committee violated sub rules two and three in as far as it did not examine the bill in detail and further did not make all such inquiries in relation to the bill in the view of the minority.

[01:14:17]the decision of the committee through a vote on a motion by honorable Fox Odori Oello for an omnibus adoption of all closes of the bill and the amendment by the landed attorney general without examination and inquiry violated rule 135. The minority madame speaker also observed that the protection of sovereignity bill 2026 was proposed by the minister of internal affairs major general retired kahindo tapir. Sub rule three restricts the latitude to propose substantial amendment to only the mover of the bill which is the minister of internal affairs. Only minor amendments may be proposed by any other person who is not the proposer to the bill. With all due respect, the landed attorney general proposed 18 amendments, all quite quite substantial in nature, which amendments the majority unilaterally adopted and relied on to pass the bill in the committee. The committee sought to have rejected the sub the committee ought to have rejected the sub substantial amendment proposed by the landed attorney general outrightly. To even make it worse, Madame Speaker, the new amendments were laid before the committee in form of a new bill. Rule 135 sub rule one confines the committee to a bill read for the first time in the house and referred to the committee. The committee is stopped from directly receiving bills not read in the house and referred to it by fraudulently bypassing this house and smuggling an amended version of the bill to the committee. An illegality that goes to the root of parliamentary procedure and practice was committed and cannot be cured by any explanation at all. Madame Speaker, the minority father observes that no sooner had the landed attorney general purported to present the amended protection of sovereignty bill 2026 to the committee at about 12:00 noon on Thursday 30th April 2026. Than his excellency the president through his address to Ugandans at about 4 p.m. on the same day withdrew instructions from the landed attorney general. Instead, President publicly assigned honorable Dennis Amson Aboua to ensure that the bill concentrates on what he calls sovereignity of policy decision making.

[01:16:52]In the practice of law, there is nothing professional as humilating as a client withdrawing instructions from you and sharing it out with the public outright.

[01:17:02]No wonder since then neither the attorney general nor the minister of internal affairs ever attempted to appear before the committee or the house. The house must therefore not entertain the two on anything to do with the protection of sovereignty bill 2026 since the president withdrew the vote of confidence in them. The minority, Madame Speaker, formed the view that honorable Abua Hamson, having been given fresh instructions as per the written expression of the president, ought to have immediately sought audience with the committee to present the instructions given to him. Was it an instruction to withdraw the bill or was it what was it? Despite the insistence of the minority to invite the honorable Hamson Abu under rule 135 sub rule 2 to make all such inquiries in relation to the bill as this was the most expedient the co-chair persons honorable Kaj honorable sorry for interruption my presumption is that when you bring a minority you bring your points of departure.

[01:18:19]Not not not procedia.

[01:18:25]Flav flavia flavia points of departure, not a debate on the procedure ways.

[01:18:46]Madame speaker, respectfully, this is one of the points of departures that I had.

[01:18:53]>> Which one?

[01:18:58]>> Which one?

[01:18:58]>> Under under subheading 3.1 I said areas of descent and statement for reasons of descent as provided in the rules. The first was violations of the rules of procedure of parliament. And I am explaining under rule 135 that the committee ought to have examine and on its own move to go and inquire to make inquiries. And my point is having come to the attention of the committee that honorable Hamson was assigned. The committee ought to have moved itself to request honorable to come and substantiate. It goes to the root of my descent. Madame speaker.

[01:19:35]>> So the committee went instead went to honorable or they they should have.

[01:19:47]Thank you madam speaker.

[01:19:51]The the co-chair persons were evident. Madame speaker this is important. The co-chair persons honorable Kaju Wilson and honorable Baka Mugabi Steven were evidently partial hostile and continuously switch off the microphone of members in the committee they perceive to be against the bill.

[01:20:15]Contrary to the established practices of availing physical copies of submissions of stakeholders to members of parliament at the retreat, members of parliament were instead told to physically get copies to to members of parliament instead were told that physical copies could not be availed since parliament was on a weekend.

[01:20:44]Views of se Madame speaker views of selected stakeholders were instead sent to members on WhatsApp to read on their phones. Members were who were not on WhatsApp or whose phones could not open the WhatsApp were effectively denied critical document.

[01:21:04]Madame Speaker, the privileges of a member of parliament were violated to the extent that some of the members of the committee had to jump on border border to travel to NASA road to print the stakeholders document for their own reference. A passionate plea for the committee to adjourn until Monday when parliament is open for purpose of printing or photocopying the documents was turned down. M Right honorable speaker, this gross, >> I am rising on a point of procedure.

[01:21:45]I am rising on a point of procedure.

[01:21:47]Madame speaker, a minority report as per rules visages that a member participates in the proceedings of a committee and then disagrees with some of the decisions taken by the majority. You read but not come here and tell us stories how the committee s no read the rules this parliament while debating reports is not for stolating how members were seated how they were reading going on border border what we expect madame speaker from The malidity report is where the member disagrees with the decisions of the majority report not to waste time of parliament talking as if he's just reading a story.

[01:22:45]So is the honorable friend of mine proceeding correctly by wasting our time as parliament instead of being straight?

[01:23:01]Honorable Honorable Dur Jonah, I am I am actually enjoying your story.

[01:23:09]You continue with the story.

[01:23:15]Please, please, please let's continue.

[01:23:19]Let's listen to the story.

[01:23:21]>> Thank you.

[01:23:28]Right honorable speaker, this gross abuse of authority with utmost impunity lest with shameless psychophancy is highly condemned.

[01:23:38]Presiding officers in committees and indeed plinary must be impartial, patient and respectful of the constitutional rights of an MP to represent their constituencies without undue partiality and interruption. I must also add that the co-chairpersons of the committee appeared not to have addressed their minds to the rules of procedure of parliament which guided us and opted for personal whims to decide substantive points of law as well as procedural matters that arose in the committee. The finding my finding number one is that the proceedings of the committee were held in complete violations of rule 135 of the rules of procedure of parliament. Two, the co-chairpersons exhibited gross incompetence, lack of tolerance for divergent views and stifled all avenues of debate during consideration.

[01:24:33]>> Honorable Honorable D incompetence by the time you come and be a member of parliament in this house, let's tone down our language. Let's let it be parliamentary. Even when I'm enjoying your story, at least let's be parliamentary. These gentlemen are are competent >> speaker. I don't want to go into the debate but I could have addressed you on the around competencies but let me continue recommendation and it's in writing here >> and I will remove it on issues of competency.

[01:25:10]>> Youful person please madam I respect please proceed.

[01:25:14]>> Yes please you go ahead. The minority recommends to parliament to reject the majority committee report and instead refer the bill to the executive or in the alternative but without prejudice be pleased to appoint another committee to examine the bill in detail and make such inquiries in relation to the bill in full confidence. Descent number two defective certificate of financial implication.

[01:25:40]The minority observed that the certificate of financial implications issued by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development does not comply with section 76 of the PFMA and rule 124 of the rules of procedure of parliament. Section 76 of the PFMA and rule 124 are at par on the certificate of financial implication of a bill as follows. One, every bill introduced in parliament shall be accompanied by certificate of financial implications issued by the minister. The certificate of financial implication issued under sub rule 10 shall sub rule one shall indicate the estimates of revenue and expenditure over a period not less than 2 years after coming into effect of the bill when passed. In addition to the requirements under sub rule subsection 2, the certificate of financial implication shall indicate the impact of the bill on the economy. Notwithstanding subsections 1, 2, and three, a certificate of financial implication shall be deemed to have been issued after 60 days. The minority examined the certificate of financial implication issued on 15th April 2026 by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development signed by Amos Lugoi, MP, Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development. In the certificate under paragraph 5 on impact of the economy, the honorable Lugobi states as follows.

[01:27:17]The proposed bill is expected to strengthen Uganda's policy autonomy and national security architecture, improve coherence in the management of foreign aid and foreign funded activities, and support stability in governance and public order. These outcomes are expected to contribute to a more secure environment and implementation of government programs and long-term national development.

[01:28:01]The minority draws the attention of honorable members to the sad realities that has befallen this country that the entire ministry responsible for finance, planning and economic development does not know what constitute an economy of a country call Uganda and therefore are unable to articulate the impact of the bill to the economy of Uganda. The minority observes that instead of assessing the impact of the bill against well-known parameters such as GDP, sovereign debt, debt to GDP ratio, balance of payments, central bank reserves, interest rates, inflation, exchange rates, rate of growth, etc. Alien parameters form the basis of the assessment. The observation by the majority report that the certificate of financial implication met the statuto standard >> members let me just put on record >> yes >> this minority which I wrote is actually let's capture all the all all what has been in all the minorities. This is what exactly how much committee let me give you 2 minutes. Let's give you 2 minutes.

[01:29:19]>> This this report I have is 40 pages.

[01:29:23]>> Let me give you three minutes to summarize >> and in the committee with the same treatment. Madam speaker, we are not that's why I'm bringing this issue. I'm appealing to the house.

[01:29:32]>> I have actually given you the same amount of time. 2 minutes you you conclude.

[01:29:43]Let's uh Madame Speaker, I want to put on the record that I cannot conclude in the 3 minutes you have given me. But I appreciate it. If it is your ruling that uh this report stops at this level, I have no problem.

[01:30:03]I respectfully submit and then uh I can leave because there's no way uh I can and I wanted to I wanted just finally because as you also know this may be possibly the last time some of us may be in this parliament.

[01:30:21]>> So I wanted you to protect that constitutional right that little window that the people gave me to be in this house to represent them. I just plead of you. They may not come back ever. But that that constitutional right for me to present, I wanted to ask that you give me sir, >> Jonah, Jonah, because you've actually spent 30 minutes, 35 minutes. Now, Jonah, Jonah, I have always told you, you're one of the people I will miss in this house.

[01:30:59]I am giving you an additional 5 minutes and all the other minor reports we will capture what is in your min report because the time has been taken.

[01:31:10]>> Yes.

[01:31:14]>> Yes.

[01:31:22]Right honorable speaker.

[01:31:27]>> Thank you. Thank you so much. Right honorable speaker, I won't now go back to the report, but let the record capture that when I appeared in the committee and you have designated me, Madame Speaker, as a member of parliament to sit on in the committee of the legal in the joint committee.

[01:31:46]I was not given the opportunity the same treatment and that's why I thought this house would allow me to present. So with with with with that let me just put on the record that I that the five minutes that you have given to me is not enough for me to present this and I thank you and uh probably take the opportunity >> okay >> to conclude by wishing members who are going to return to the 12th parliament good luck in their deliberation and representations. I know next week people are going to swear in. I want to wish you all the best but if the committee proceeds to committee stage the amendments that are also attached here.

[01:32:36]>> Yes.

[01:32:36]>> I beg that I will be given time to move those amendments. Madam speaker >> so you're putting a motion for committee stay so that we do the amendment.

[01:32:47]>> Let the record capture that I did not I just put your note because I'd written it here.

[01:32:52]>> No problem. No problem. We shall consider that.

[01:32:55]>> If you had been patient and read it was going to come in the last page.

[01:32:58]>> No, I am not impatient.

[01:33:03]>> Honorable members, I gave each side 35 minutes. Yes.

[01:33:09]>> Right honorable speaker, I believe you will give me my right as a member as a member who prepared a minority report that was co-signed by two other members.

[01:33:26]Honorable Adaju for FDC this week uh this week the woman representative for and honorable the MP for municipality and my right honorable speaker our points of descent are in the following areas. One, the provisions in the bill that tend to infringe the freedom of expression contrary to article 29 of the constitution to the inconsistent men's rare since several offenses of comparable severity particularly causes eight incidentally this particular microphone seems to have been tampered with and mine has so closes 8, 10, and 12 and 22 that remain strict liability while others require intentional knowledge and creating an internal consistency contrary to article 283 of the constitution.

[01:34:38]I hope I hope the answer will capture me.

[01:34:46]>> Yes.

[01:34:48]uh at satur definitions in respect of foreigner and agent of foreigner which cross refer to cross to which in itself raises >> well that we will discuss that in at committee stage >> I will allow you to bring your issues >> number four right honorable speaker is on criminalization of free speech Number five, and most importantly, Madame Speaker, this particular bill tends to infringe article one of the constitution by one trying to invent the sovereign of the people into the sovereignity of the state. Article one of the constitution refers to the people of Uganda being sovereign. What the state has is the authority to administer. So the title of the bill itself tells the lie about itself. And when you go through the bill, right honorable speaker, apart from clause five, apart from clause five which talks about the sovereignity of the people of Uganda, the rest of the clauses are in respect of the sovereignity of the state.

[01:36:13]>> Okay. And uh when we go to committee stage, madame right speaker, >> we have many amendments to make.

[01:36:22]>> No problem.

[01:36:23]>> Since we were never given an opportunity in the committee stage, >> thank you.

[01:36:26]>> We have amendments to make on almost all causes in the bill.

[01:36:31]>> Thank you.

[01:36:31]>> May I invite my other colleagues who have minority reports presentations?

[01:36:37]>> Members.

[01:36:39]members.

[01:36:45]>> Thank Madame Speaker, I have something to tell you.

[01:36:55]Madame Speaker, in my capacity as the shadow minister for internal affairs, I went to the committee with a request to make a presentation.

[01:37:12]Madame speaker, I happened to arrive before the attorney general.

[01:37:18]The chairman of the day, honorable Baka requested me to wait for the attorney general to present so that I could also be given time.

[01:37:29]After the attorney general had made his presentation of amendments, honorable that I will make my presentation while at reach. Madame Speaker, honorable Kajen ruled that my request had been overtaken by events.

[01:37:56]Madame Speaker, I chose to write a minority report because the issues I was going to raise had not been raised by any bodellis.

[01:38:07]So I wrote a minority report. Madame Speaker, my Madame Speaker, you are now luring that there is no time. Madame Speaker, as a member of the committee, I'm not supposed to debate.

[01:38:21]Madame Speaker, is it there was a meandom that came from Buganda Kingdom.

[01:38:29]Madame Speaker, when we reached Mono, the meandom went missing.

[01:38:38]Madame speaker now >> they have told you here.

[01:38:46]Let me tell the speaker.

[01:38:49]Madame Speaker on our members give better time some other >> Madame Speaker I've had the chairman telling you that he when we were at we heard from the the governor bank of Uganda And you know, Madame Speaker, I was so surprised because while the rest of us were in, we were never informed that even the governor of Bank of Uganda had gotten back to us. Madame Speaker, because of those many issues.

[01:39:36]We are also told that 700 people sent mess to the committee, but only 47 of them were accounted for.

[01:39:47]I feel so silenced.

[01:39:51]Is it Is it your luling that the people of Mono should not be heard on this?

[01:39:57]Honor honorable honorable honorable my sister. The people of Mukono have been heard. You've spoken for over five minutes. You've raised your issues and we are going to address all those issues. Honorable members, honorable members, we have all these supplementaries and not supplementary but minorities.

[01:40:31]We are going to go committee by committee and all of you are saying you have issues on each clause.

[01:40:43]Why don't we look at clause by clause?

[01:40:47]Honorable Odur has raised pertinent issues. Let's let's look at Madame Speaker.

[01:41:01]>> You denied me opportunity to present.

[01:41:03]Don't use my name.

[01:41:05]Don't >> No, don't.

[01:41:11]Honorable Dul, you took all the 35 minutes.

[01:41:15]Honorable Rightable Speaker, let me give you five minutes.

[01:41:43]Thank you. Right speaker, right speaker, I'll go straight to the point of descent.

[01:41:53]Right speaker, the minority following rule of procedure 105 or parliament.

[01:42:03]Rightable speaker, the bill establishes An extensive regulatory and criminal framework governing individuals and entities classified as agent of foreigners imposing control and funding policies, policy engagement and civic participations. The minority observes the several provisions raised several concerns including the vagueness and inconsistence of definitions and extreme and disproportionate penalty regime.

[01:42:45]Infringements on freedom of expressions and civic space.

[01:42:50]duplication of existing legal framework and the absence of commencements and the transitional provisions and duplications of the existing legal framework. Rather speaker when the committee engaged with many entities you recall we engaged with about 53 entities.

[01:43:16]Out of the 53 entities, 52 were in support of this bill. 51 including Bank of Uganda, religious leaders among others were telling Ugandans that this bill when passed, it will create economic instability in Uganda. That was a word from the governor of Bank of Uganda. Right. Mr. Speaker, this bill it creates extreme and disproportionate penalty regime. The bill establishes a uniform and severe penalty structures imposing imposing custodian sex sentences of up to 20 years in prisons across wide range of offenses. Notably the same maximum penalty applies to promotion of interest of foreigner. If you look at close five speaker participation in activities deemed to promote foreign policy that is in clause 10.

[01:44:45]Publication of information characterized >> Gilbert we have we have we have gone to close this >> thank you speaker right speaker because of time let me go straight to the recommendation right speaker this minority came out with the following recommendations having engaged and got many views from Ugandans.

[01:45:19]The minority recommends that the House does not pass the bill in its present form.

[01:45:29]Two, the bill be withdrawn and remitted for comprehensive reddrafting.

[01:45:39]Three, a revised bill should provide clear and precise definitions established a proportionate penalty regime align with existing legal frameworks.

[01:45:58]Be supported by a credible economic and fiscal analysis.

[01:46:05]and finally be subjected to broad stakeholders consultation. Right speaker, the view of the minority is that the bill >> should be withdrawn. I >> honorable Betty 5 minutes.

[01:46:29]Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[01:46:33]Right. Right honorable speaker, the points of my descent are as follows.

[01:46:44]One, right honorable speaker, switch on.

[01:46:55]Switch on.

[01:46:58]Right honor, right honorable speaker, it is my opinion that hasn't been enough public hearing accorded to this bill.

[01:47:11]Right honorable speaker, you have been told that 57 meanders were reviewed. But the fact of the matter right honorable speaker is that the committee received over 700 memorandums one of them right honorable speaker as I've put it being from the kingdom right honorable speaker when we went to we are given time to go and stud memorandums on WhatsApps but when we returned to the committee right honorable speaker the committee did don't give us time to make a presentation. As I've told you before, right honorable speaker, it's not about allowing people to come to the committee. The purpose of the people coming to the committee is to give their opinion space that the people should be heard. But we are handling. My point of this is that the committee ruled in favor of only two people out of the 700 who opposed the bill. Right honorable speaker. Right honorable speaker, we are here with time. This is not legislation.

[01:48:33]The committee is always given up to 200 45 days according to our rule of procedure 135 not 200 >> 45 days >> 45 days but if you get a committee which is efficient like yours it can even do it >> it wasn't efficient madame speaker even the the problem of time can can even be seen while we are here right honorable Honorable speaker, right honorable speaker, my my request is that the 11th parliament stops behaving as if it is the last parliament Uganda will ever have. There will be other parliaments that will come after this parliament. Right honorable speaker and right honorable speaker, we are so we are so honored that you will also be in that next parliament. Right honorable speaker.

[01:49:31]>> No, I can't.

[01:49:31]>> My recommendation. Right honorable speaker, >> I can choose not to be because I have >> you already there because we have been talking to Mau.

[01:49:49]How has M come here?

[01:49:54]Order. There's an order here.

[01:50:02]raise an order.

[01:50:10]Right. Right honorable speaker.

[01:50:14]Right honorable speaker, we are discussing a very important bill and uh I'm wondering how honorable member is talking about their discussion out of this house. Is it in order to bring the name of somebody on sovereignity bill that we are discussing? Is it really in order?

[01:50:39]Do you want to tell us is that is an agent of foreigners?

[01:50:44]No. The person they mentioned the name.

[01:50:49]Yes. Uh right honorable speaker finish.

[01:50:55]Right honorable speaker, the other point of descent is descent is on the issue of interpretation. Right honorable speaker,