Ugandans in the diaspora have presented their submissions on the controversial National Protection Sovereignty Bill 2026 before the Joint Committee on Defence and Legal Affairs, as Parliament wraps up consultations with key stakeholders.
The submissions were made via Zoom, with the diaspora delegation led by Gloria Nalule, Executive Director of the Uganda Global Forum, who told MPs that a majority of respondents abroad oppose key provisions in the Bill.
Nalule said that according to feedback collected from diaspora communities, 77% of respondents want the Bill amended, arguing that it risks damaging trust between Ugandans abroad and their home country.
She warned that provisions which could be interpreted as classifying citizens abroad as foreigners or restricting remittances may have far-reaching economic consequences.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
"They warned that provisions classifying citizens abroad as foreigners and restricting remittances risk undermining trust, investment, and family support systems, despite the diaspora's significant economic contribution," Nalule said.
U.S.-based engineer Timothy Kangajwe, who has lived in the United States for over 25 years, said the proposed framing of diaspora citizens was deeply concerning, stressing that it could alienate a critical section of Ugandans abroad who continue to support families and invest back home.
"When a bill defines us as such, it's not a drafting error, it's a statement. We send $2.5 billion home for families, not politics. Don't put government between our children and us," Kangajwe said.
Brian Mushana Kwesiga, former President of the Uganda North America Association (UNAA), said that while the objective of protecting sovereignty is valid, it should not come at the expense of unity among Ugandans.
"It is difficult to ask Ugandans abroad to invest while defining them as foreigners. Build trust, don't break it. Classifying Ugandans abroad as foreigners risks a two-tier citizenship," he said.
Parliament's Joint Committee on Defence and Legal Affairs continues to engage various stakeholders on the Bill, including the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda, the National Association of Broadcasters, and the Alliance for National Transformation, among others.
The consultations come amid growing public debate over the scope and implications of the proposed legislation, particularly its impact on civic rights, investment flows, and Uganda's global diaspora community.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
