The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has called on Parliament to withdraw the proposed Sovereignty Bill, warning that it risks undermining civil liberties and diverting attention from more effective ways of safeguarding Uganda’s national integrity.
In a statement issued on Thursday, JEEMA spokesperson Dr. Swaib Kaggwa Nsereko argued that the Bill, in its current form, fails to address the core issues surrounding national sovereignty.
“The Bill does not protect Uganda’s sovereignty. It threatens civil liberties, criminalizes the diaspora with billions in fines, and distracts from real security gaps,” he said.
The party instead urged legislators to focus on operationalizing Article 17(2) of the 1995 Constitution, which requires all able-bodied citizens to undergo military training when called upon to defend the country and its constitutional order.
JEEMA emphasized that true sovereignty lies in empowering citizens rather than restricting them.
“Real sovereignty is not built by policing citizens. It is built by preparing them,” Nsereko stated.
The party expressed concern that for over three decades, Article 17(2) has remained largely unimplemented, leaving citizens unprepared to defend the Constitution.
“For over 30 years, Article 17(2) has been deliberately redundant. Government has refused to train citizens to defend the Constitution, yet it rushes to punish them,” he added.
Addressing concerns about foreign influence, JEEMA dismissed the idea of restricting external funding as a solution.
“If there is genuine fear of external money, the answer is not to ban money. The answer is to build citizens so grounded in constitutional values that their loyalty cannot be bought,” Nsereko noted.
As an alternative, JEEMA proposed the establishment of a National Civic Defence Programme aimed at equipping citizens with practical and civic skills. The proposed programme would be voluntary and community-based, focusing on constitutional literacy, first aid, disaster response, cyber security, and basic defence training.
The party also called for inclusion of Ugandans in the diaspora through embassies, rather than penalizing them under the proposed law.
“We must promote true sovereignty—a prepared citizenry, not a policed citizenry,” Nsereko emphasized.
JEEMA further urged Parliament to exercise caution and prioritize long-term national interests.
“Parliament must reject shortcuts that erode freedoms and instead invest in the patriotism of our people,” he said.
The Sovereignty Bill has sparked debate among stakeholders, with critics warning of potential implications on rights and freedoms, while supporters argue it is necessary to safeguard Uganda’s independence.
As discussions continue, JEEMA’s proposal adds to growing calls for a more citizen-centered approach to national security and constitutional defense.
