Ugandan ‘Sovereignty Bill’Mimicking Russian ‘Foreign Agents’Law Met with Outcry. KAMPALA, Uganda – A proposed law in Uganda, known as the “Protection of Sovereignty Bill, “has sparked widespread controversy for its striking resemblance to the Russian “foreign agents “law, which critics say is a tool for suppressing dissent.
The east African nation, under the rule of President Yoweri Museveni, has seen increasing authoritarianism in recent years.
The bill, set to be presented to parliament next week, criminalizes activities that promote “interests of a foreigner against the interests of Uganda, “and labels recipients of foreign funding as “foreign agents, “with sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Additionally, it defines Ugandans living abroad as “foreigners, “a move deemed unconstitutional by rights groups. Critics argue the bill is a means to silence political opponents, echoing restrictive laws in Russia and other countries. Mwesigwa Rukutana, a former Ugandan attorney general, called the bill “toxic “and recommended widespread consultations or shelving it.
Human Rights Watch has likened the bill to restrictive laws in Russia and Nicaragua, saying they are not about protecting the people but the regimes. Officials commented on the matter. Uganda’s central bank governor, Michael Atingi-Ego, warned that the bill could deter foreign investment, reversing three decades of successful financial development.
Despite Museveni’s intervention, defending the bill while advocating for revision, concerns remain high among the business community and financial experts. This proposed legislation has highlighted the tension between national sovereignty and the protection of democratic values, casting a shadow over Uganda’s political and economic future.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Africanews
Source: Rédaction Africanews
