KAMPALA, Uganda — A coalition of 14 activists, politicians, journalists and civil society actors has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking to nullify key provisions of the recently enacted Protection of Sovereignty Act, arguing that the law infringes on constitutional rights and grants excessive powers to the Executive.
The petitioners include former Leader of the Opposition Winnie Kiiza, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake and journalist Arnold Anthony Mukose, among other civic actors.
The constitutional petition challenges the legality of the Protection of Sovereignty Act, No. 7 of 2026, which was passed by Parliament on May 5, assented to by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on May 17 and came into force on May 22.
According to the applicants, the legislation was rushed through Parliament and contains broadly framed provisions that could be used to restrict dissent and curtail civic freedoms.
At the centre of the petition are provisions defining “interests of Uganda” and “foreign interests,” which the petitioners argue are linked to government policy positions and could blur the line between lawful political opposition and prohibited conduct.
The group also challenges several offences created under the law, including references to “economic sabotage,” “disruptive activities” and “ideologies inconsistent with the Constitution or cultural norms.”
They contend that the terms are vague and insufficiently defined, creating uncertainty about what conduct may attract criminal sanctions and granting broad discretion to enforcement authorities.
The petition further argues that the Act undermines freedom of expression by potentially criminalising criticism of government policies and restricting the dissemination of alternative political views.
The applicants say provisions regulating meetings, mobilisation activities and advocacy efforts—particularly those involving foreign support—could interfere with constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, association and political participation.
Another major concern raised in the petition relates to powers granted to the responsible minister to license, regulate and suspend organisations on grounds linked to national security and sovereignty.
The petitioners argue that such authority is overly broad and risks weakening institutional checks and balances by concentrating significant regulatory powers in the Executive branch.
The challenge also targets provisions governing organisations that receive foreign funding. According to the applicants, requirements for approvals, reporting obligations and possible criminal penalties could place undue restrictions on civil society organisations and their participation in governance and public affairs.
The petitioners are asking the Constitutional Court to declare the contested provisions unconstitutional and to issue interim orders suspending enforcement of the Act pending final determination of the case.
The Attorney General of Uganda, who is named as the sole respondent, had not filed a response by press time.
The case is expected to reignite debate over the balance between national sovereignty, security interests and the protection of constitutional freedoms in Uganda.
