Concerned citizens under the Citizens Coalition Against the Protection of the Sovereignty Bill have stepped up calls for the complete withdrawal and rejection of the proposed Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026, insisting that the legislation is beyond repair even with proposed amendments.
The group argues that the bill’s foundation is fundamentally flawed, pointing to what they describe as a lack of clear ownership after the President reportedly distanced himself from it.
Their position follows recent communication from the President indicating that Parliament may be handling a version of the bill that differs from what Cabinet originally approved.
In the letter, he called for the bill to be returned for wider consultations to ensure clarity and alignment.
Speaking to journalists in Kampala–Ntinda at Eureka Hotel, former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe said Parliament still has an opportunity to correct its course.
She noted that public reaction to the bill has been overwhelmingly negative, with many Ugandans expressing strong opposition.
Matembe urged legislators to listen to citizens by withdrawing and rejecting the bill in its entirety, warning that proceeding without public backing would undermine democratic principles.
The coalition maintains that meaningful consultation and respect for citizens’ views should guide any legislative process moving forward, arguing that ignoring public sentiment risks deepening mistrust in governance and lawmaking processes.
By Charles Katabalwa
4th May 2026
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