The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party Deputy President in charge of Buganda, Michael Bayiga Lulume, has punched holes in President Museveni’s recent clarification on the proposed protection of sovereignty bill 2026, arguing that it only favors religious groups while sidelining political and cultural institutions in Uganda.
According to Lulume, in his recent clarification message to the committee and parliament, Museveni distanced himself from limiting church donations from abroad under the sovereignty bill, leaving political parties, some individuals, and cultural groups crippled.
“He distanced himself from curtailing religious institutions being funded and was silent about the political parties and cultural institutions, which remain victims of the proposed protection of sovereignty bill 2026. Which means his fight is against political parties and cultural groups,” Lulume said.
While addressing the press on Monday, May 4th, 2026, at the PPF party headquarters at Katonga Road in Kampala, Lulume alleged that Museveni’s fight against political parties is a sign of fear of significant ideas raised from such formations.
He also warned the parliament against being influenced by the cabinet to pass the bill, stating that the spirit through which the bill is being handled is to give more power to President Museveni to run the country against the will of the people.
“We appeal to the members of parliament who belong to PPF not to participate in accompanying President Museveni where he wants to take this country through this legislation,” Lulume said.
Lulume’s appeal is contrary to media reports, which have since revealed that the majority of members of parliament, including those in opposition, have agreed to support the protection of the Sovereignty Bill 2026, adopting revisions proposed by the Attorney General.
However, in the recent clarification, President Museveni ordered the relevant parliamentary committees to make the bill concentrate on the sovereignty of policy decision-making and not to meander in the areas of the freedom of private enterprise transfers.
The Parliament of Uganda is scheduled to debate the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, for its second and third readings during a plenary sitting on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, starting at 2:00 p.m. Legislative debate and a potential final vote are expected to conclude before the presidential swearing-in ceremony on May 12th, 2026.
