President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has defended the newly passed Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 by drawing parallels with Uganda’s turbulent political past, warning that foreign interference remains a threat to national stability.

In a message addressed to Ugandans, particularly the youth, in a press release of May 7th, 2026, Museveni applauded the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MPs) for passing the legislation, saying it protects Uganda’s right to make independent decisions without outside influence.

“Foreigners interfering in our internal issues is very dangerous. Let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you,” Museveni said.

The President cited the 1971 military coup that brought former ruler Idi Amin to power as an example of external meddling with long-term consequences for Uganda.

“The Israelis led by one Barak and the British supported Idi Amin’s coup in 1971 because Obote was vocal in opposing their policy on Rhodesia,” he noted.

He argued that Uganda lost years of progress after the coup, including efforts towards East African cooperation and African liberation movements.

“We had to spend eight years and a lot of deaths in order to solve the problem created for us by others,” Museveni added.

The Sovereignty Bill has sparked sharp debate across Uganda’s political landscape. Supporters say it strengthens national independence, while critics argue it could be used to limit foreign-funded civic activity and narrow political space ahead of the 2026 elections.