Tayari News
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has clarified the intent of the proposed Sovereignty Bill, emphasising that it is focused strictly on protecting Uganda’s independence in policy decision-making and not restricting economic freedoms or private financial flows.
“Of recent, I have noticed a lot of orwaari (noise,kelele), regarding the Sovereignty Bill. WhichSovereignty Bill is the rwaari about? The one Iinitiated in the Cabinet or another one? The Bill will stop FDIS (Foreign Direct Investments), support for religious bodies from abroad, Remittances from Ugandans working abroad, etc., etc. Really!! “
“That is not the Bill I initiated. The Bill I initiated, was about what we fought for and what the whole of Africa fought for ever since 1900 when the whole of Africa, except for Ethiopia, had been shamefully colonised after 400 years of the slave trade because of our egocentric Kings that were spending more energy causing wars among us than uniting us to defend ourselves.” He added
The President reaffirmed Uganda’s long-standing commitment to a free and open economy, noting that the country fully supports legitimate financial transactions, investments, and remittances.
“None of our policies says: ‘do not send to Uganda or take out of Uganda money you have earned legally anywhere in the world.’ We run a free economy. Forex is bought and sold in privately run Forex bureaus.”
He highlighted that this economic freedom remains a key pillar of Uganda’s resilience and growth.
“This is the strength of the Ugandan economy. The freedom of the private sector compensates for the obstructions of corrupt or non-patriotic public servants.”
The President clarified that the purpose is to safeguard Uganda’s independence in determining its own policies across political, social, economic, and diplomatic spheres.
“Sovereignty means: ‘Please, muteleke (leave us alone), so that we make our own decisions. The Bill I initiated was about what we fought for — sovereignty in policy decision-making.”
He cautioned against external interference, particularly through funding aimed at influencing national direction.“Do not fund groups to influence our decisions as a country.
”The President further emphasised that Uganda’s sovereignty is exercised constitutionally through democratic processes such as elections and referenda.
Reflecting on Africa’s history, he noted that the struggle for sovereignty was long and deliberate, culminating in full political independence across the continent.
“Independence means the right to make our own mistakes if necessary and learn from them.”
The President also reassured stakeholders that the Bill will be refined to avoid misinterpretation or overreach into private sector freedoms.
“The Bill will concentrate on the sovereignty of policy decision-making and not meander into areas of private enterprise or money transfers.”
The President noted that he had spoken to relevant stakeholders not to meander around the bill.
“I have talked to Hon. Hamson Obua and theChairpersons of the relevant Parliamentary Committees to make the Bill concentrate on the Sovereignty of policy-decision-making and not to meander in the areas of the freedom of Private enterprise transfers or private money transfers or church donations.”
He called for influence through positive example rather than coercion.