The Government is expected to table the National Sovereignty Bill in Parliament tomorrow, with the Minister of Internal Affairs set to formally present the Bill for its first reading, marking the start of its legislative journey in the House.
Once tabled, the Bill will be referred to the relevant parliamentary committees for detailed scrutiny, where Members of Parliament will examine its provisions in detail before it returns for further debate and possible amendments.
The proposed legislation is understood to have evolved from earlier policy discussions that initially focused on a separate NGO Funding Bill. That earlier proposal was associated with ideas around donor funding coordination, tax incentives for civil society organisations, and structured support for NGO operations. However, as the policy developed, government sources indicate that the funding and tax incentive provisions were removed and the remaining elements were consolidated into the National Sovereignty Bill.
The revised Bill is now expected to focus more on regulating foreign influence in governance and public policy, as well as strengthening oversight of externally supported programmes. The shift reflects a broader policy change from financial facilitation of NGOs toward tighter regulation of external involvement in domestic affairs.
Ugandan businessman Nyanzi Martin Luther, commenting on the development, said he welcomes the expected tabling of the Bill, noting that although the funding components were removed, the focus on addressing foreign dependency remains an important step in strengthening national policy direction. He added that reducing reliance on external support is key to promoting self-determination in national development.
Parliamentary sources say the tabling will officially launch the legislative process, after which the Bill will undergo committee review and further debate by MPs, who are expected to scrutinize its definitions, scope, and implications for foreign partnerships and donor-funded initiatives.
The Bill is expected to attract close attention from civil society organisations and policy observers once it reaches Parliament, given its potential impact on governance, development cooperation, and externally funded programmes in Uganda.
