Uganda’s government has introduced a new piece of legislation aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign financial involvement in the country.
The proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, currently under review by parliamentary committees, sets out measures to regulate how individuals and organisations engage with foreign entities and receive funding from abroad.
Under the bill, anyone acting on behalf of foreign interests would be required to register with the relevant authorities. It also proposes that individuals and organisations should not receive more than 400 million Ugandan shillings annually from foreign sources without written approval from the responsible minister.
The legislation outlines penalties for non-compliance, including prison sentences of up to 20 years, financial penalties of up to 2 billion shillings for individuals and 4 billion for organisations, as well as provisions for asset recovery where applicable.
Officials say the bill is intended to promote transparency and accountability in cross-border financial activities, while safeguarding national interests.
The proposed law could apply to a wide range of sectors, including civil society organisations, businesses, and individuals who receive financial support from abroad. It may also affect Ugandans living outside the country who engage in activities linked to foreign funding.
Among public figures, individuals such as Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine)—who has previously operated from outside the country—are part of the broader national conversation around how the law may be applied.
The bill is now undergoing parliamentary scrutiny, where lawmakers will review its provisions before it proceeds to the next stages of the legislative process.
The development forms part of ongoing efforts by Uganda to define frameworks governing international financial engagement.
