Africa-Press – Uganda. The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi has raised concern over the fast handling of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill in Parliament, saying it is moving ahead before proper consultation is done.
The bill in question was formally introduced on April 15 by State Minister for Internal Affairs David Muhoozi and is currently before the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs for detailed scrutiny.
The bill has also been referred to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, with government pushing the legislation as a framework aimed at limiting foreign interference in Uganda’s internal affairs.
While speaking in Parliament, Ssenyonyi said the bill had just been introduced and sent to the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee and the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee for review in what he said is unusual fast handling.
“The protection of sovereignty bill was read for the first time, and you referred the same to the relevant committees, two committees, Defense and Internal Affairs and the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, to process,” Ssenyonyi said.
He said it was surprising to see the bill already listed for second and third reading before committees had even started collecting views from stakeholders.
“But I got a bit confused and perplexed when I saw on the order paper the bill has been scheduled for second and third reading,” he said.
Ssenyonyi added that the committee meetings had not yet started and public input had not been fully collected.
“The committee has yet to sit, the joint committee, and embark on getting input from the different stakeholders. Meetings have not kicked off yet,” he said.
He also said this was not the first time such a situation has happened in Parliament, pointing to past bills that also moved quickly without enough consultation.
“I got concerned seeing a similar trend of events. That’s why I say let me raise it so that there is proper guidance on how we get to move,” he said.
The Protection of Sovereignty Bill is said to aim at strengthening control over national decision-making, limiting foreign influence in key government matters, and tightening coordination among security agencies on issues linked to national security.
It also proposes stricter rules for organisations and actors working in areas considered sensitive to Uganda’s sovereignty and national interests.
Among the key proposals in the Bill is a requirement for organisations or individuals receiving substantial foreign funding, above Shs400 million annually, to seek prior approval from the relevant minister before continuing operations under that funding arrangement.
The Bill also introduces strict enforcement measures, including provisions that classify non-compliance with foreign funding disclosure rules as a serious offence, potentially attracting long custodial sentences of up to 20 years and designation as a foreign agent under Ugandan law.
For More News And Analysis About Uganda Follow Africa-Press
