AGAIN! Some Opposition MPs Given Shs100m Each to Vote Yes for Sovereignty Bill — Reports

Some opposition MPs were given Shs100m each to vote Yes for Sovereignty Bill, reports have emerged on the day Parliament is preparing to vote on the contentious piece of legislation.

Uganda’s Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, which was tabled in April 2026, is presented by the government as a legal framework to shield the country from foreign interference in its political, economic, and social affairs.

Government officials like junior internal affairs minister Gen David Muhoozi argue that the legislation is necessary to safeguard national sovereignty and maintain stability, especially in the wake of heightened political activity and external influence.

A central feature of the Bill is its strict regulation of foreign funding. Individuals or organisations receiving more than Shs400 million annually from foreign sources must obtain approval from the Internal Affairs minister. Failure to comply could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment of up to 20 years and heavy fines.

The Bill also introduces mandatory disclosure of foreign funds, continuous reporting requirements, and criminalises funding deemed to undermine national security or influence political processes.

Critics of theBill argue that its expansive definition of an “agent of a foreigner” could extend to ordinary citizens, small community groups, and even individuals receiving remittances from relatives abroad.

Such provisions, critics further note, could force many Ugandans into a complex regulatory system requiring registration and permits, while granting the government wide discretion to determine what constitutes acceptable foreign support.

The proposed law has drawn strong criticism from civil society organisations, legal experts, and opposition voices, with critics further warning that the Bill could erode constitutional freedoms, restrict civic participation, and undermine livelihoods that depend on foreign assistance.

Despite these concerns, the government continues to defend the Bill as a necessary measure for transparency and national protection. Officials insist it is not intended to silence dissent but to regulate external influence in Uganda’s affairs.

Bank of Uganda has warned that the Bill could lead to economic collapse while Buganda Kingdom has advised government on how to fix the problems within the controversial bill. (See Details Here and There).

President Yoweri himself has come out to address what he called ‘meandering’ on the bill, directing MPs to get back on track and pass the bill. At the weekend, there was a scuffle at a Munyonyo hotel as MPs nearly punched each other over clauses in the Bill. (See Details Here and There).

CLAIMS OF BRIBERY

Claims that some opposition MPs were given Shs100m each to vote Yes for Sovereignty Bill have been made by an ally of main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.

A top manager for NUP’s and Bobi Wine’s digital communications, Andrew Natumanya aka Ninye Tabz, says that the MPs, whom he did not name, got the Shs100m at the weekend from someone he described as “the Oldman with a hat.”

Natumanya says that while the deal was supposed to be kept as a well guarded top secret (and the opposition MPs were assured of such), the team at NUP has learnt of the deal.

He added that time would come when the MPs will be exposed.

“There’s some opposition MPs that received 100M each over the weekend from the Oldman with a hat and they think we are not aware!” wrote Natumanya, making allegations parliament, executive and opposition were yet to comment on.

“The right time hasn’t come, we shall roast you till you burn. What was the money for? Your guess is as good as mine but just know the bill will pass!”

If true, the bribe would be taken as a retirement package for opposition MPs who were not reelected and perhaps their last deal in an increasingly corrupt parliament.

Last year, each MP was reportedly bribed with Shs100m to pass controversial coffee and UPDF bills. Museveni came out to address the reports but instead attacked Muwanga Kivumbi, labelling him a foreign agent. (See Details Here, There and Over There.

If true, then MPs could be swimming in a lot of money. Last month, President Museveni gifted each of his NRM MPs Shs100m, with a minister claiming the president would sell his cows to get the money to give the ruling party law makers who already earn tens of millions, as reported Here and There.