VIDEO: Sovereignty Bill Drama as MPs Nearly Punch Each Other During Special Joint Committee Meeting in Munyonyo Hotel

There was some Sovereignty Bill drama as MPs nearly punched each other during special joint committee meeting in a Munyonyo hotel, according to reports.

A joint Committee comprising the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs and the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs is handling the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026.

The joint committee retreat at Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo to discuss concerns raised by different stakeholders, including civil society organizations, cultural institutions, bankers and the central bank.

The disagreement is said to have emanated from the manner in which the joint committee was to proceed. One group wanted the two committees to consider the concerns raised through public hearings and consultations on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026, one by one.

Another group wanted the committee to consider the report filed by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka after making some amendments based on concerns.

The scuffle involved Erute South MP Jonathan Odur and co-chairs of the Joint Committee after the duo rejected calls for a debate on each clause of the bill. The co-chairs and ruling NRM party were in support of a motion by West Budama North East MP Fox Odoi who wanted the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026 adopted as amended by Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

With MPs nearly exchanging blows, reports indicated, the joint committee meeting was suspended for over half an hour to allow the anger that had been boiling to cool down a little.

Part of the scuffle between Hon @JonaOdur and the Co- Chairs of the Joint Committee over stampeding the clause by clause debate – in favor of the @FoxOdoi motion for adoption of the amended sovereignty bill without debate #RejectSovereigntyBill pic.twitter.com/iHKjppPzAL

— Dr. Bireete Sarah (@SarahBireete) May 3, 2026

Security was also beefed up to avoid more drama that was threatening to turn into chaos.

Commenting on reports of the scuffle, Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG) Executive Director Dr Sarah Bireete warned against a plot by National Resistance Movement (NRM) lawmakers to hijack the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026.

“What is happening in Munyonyo (The Joint Committee Retreat) is no longer protection of sovereignty- it’s the Hijack of Sovereignty by a section of MPs from the ruling party,” wrote Dr Bireete.

Different institutions have opposed the Protection of Sovereignty Bill 2026. For example, Bank of Uganda governor showed how the bill would sink the economy, while Buganda Kingdom explained how the bill could be fixed. (See Details Here and There).

President Museveni has told MPs to stop meandering, and stick to key issues. He directed the MPs on what to do, as reported HERE.