Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has opposed the proposed Sovereignty Bill, saying there is no need for another law to regulate financing in Uganda.
Speaking on Frontline on Thursday evening, Ssemujju argued that the bill largely targets the movement of money and appears intended to regulate political funding, despite the existence of multiple laws already governing financial flows.
“The Sovereignty Bill deals with the movement of money majorly. We already have many other laws regulating financing. There is no need for another law for that. This bill is coming mainly to regulate political funding,” Ssemujju said.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago also raised concerns, arguing that the proposed legislation contradicts the Constitution, which vests sovereignty in the people rather than the state.
“The Constitution talks about the sovereignty of the people,” Lukwago said, adding that the bill instead focuses on the sovereignty of Uganda as a state, not its citizens.
However, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, defended the bill, describing it as necessary to protect Ugandans’ ability to make independent decisions.
“The bill is good. The bill is about the sovereignty of Ugandans. The Sovereignty Bill is the power Ugandans should have to make decisions for themselves and not the other way round,” Baryomunsi said.
The Sovereignty Bill, recently tabled in Parliament, seeks to tighten controls on financial flows into the country, with government citing national security concerns as the basis for the proposed law.