Women leaders have strongly opposed the proposed Uganda Sovereignty Protection Bill currently before Parliament, warning that it could disproportionately affect women and should be scrapped.
Speaking at a press conference held at Pope Paul Memorial Hotel, members of the Network for Women in Politics argued that Uganda already has sufficient legal frameworks, and that the proposed law would instead worsen poverty and unemployment.
They further claimed that the bill is being advanced with hidden intentions, cautioning that while it may appear protective on the surface, it could ultimately oppress citizens.
“This bill is being presented as protective, but in reality it will harm ordinary citizens, especially women,” one of the leaders said.
According to the leaders, provisions in the proposed law would strip Ugandans of their citizenship if they leave the country to work abroad, effectively treating them as foreigners.
They added that such individuals would also be barred from sending remittances back home and would require government approval to return to Uganda.
The group warned that such measures would hit women the hardest, noting that many households depend on remittances and that a significant number of Ugandans working abroad are women.
“Women are the backbone of many families, and cutting off remittances will deepen poverty and suffering,” they said.
Human rights advocates, including those representing persons living with disabilities and people living with HIV/Aids, also raised concern.
Activist Maxencia Nakibuuka warned that the bill could have severe consequences for vulnerable groups if passed in its current form.
“If this law is enacted, many lives could be put at risk, especially among already vulnerable communities,” Nakibuuka said.
Another leader, Edith Byanyima, cautioned that Uganda has previously passed laws that appeared beneficial but later proved harmful in practice.
“We have seen laws before that look good on paper but end up hurting citizens. This could be one of them,” she said.
The women leaders maintained that although the bill could be subjected to further scrutiny, it should ultimately be withdrawn, emphasizing that existing laws are sufficient.
They also warned that passing the bill could damage Uganda’s international standing, potentially deterring investors and negatively affecting the economy.
“This bill risks isolating Uganda and driving away investors, which will hurt our economy,” they cautioned.
