President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has given clarity concerning public anxiety over the Sovereignty Bill, declaring that the law will not interfere with remittances, investments, or religious donations.
The President issued a detailed clarification on Thursday following widespread concerns that the proposed legislation might restrict the flow of legal funds into and out of Uganda. President Museveni dismissed these fears as "orwaari" (baseless noise), insisting the Bill he initiated has been misunderstood. He clarified that the legislation aims solely to protect Uganda’s independent policy-making from external pressure.
"Really!! That is not the Bill I initiated," President Museveni said.
He explained that the core intent of the Bill is to safeguard Uganda's right to decide its political, social, and economic path. The President cited Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, noting that independence includes the right for a nation to make its own mistakes and learn from them. He warned that external entities must not use money or influence to manipulate Uganda’s ideological decisions.
However, the President was firm that this pursuit of sovereignty does not mean closing the economy. He defended the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) 40-year commitment to a free-market system.
“None of them says: Do not send to Uganda or take out of Uganda money you have earned legally anywhere in the World; do not send church donations to or from Uganda; do not receive or send out remittances from Ugandans working abroad. We run a free economy,” President Museveni stated.
The President highlighted the private sector's freedom as a vital safeguard against corrupt or unpatriotic public servants. He noted that the free movement of capital serves as an insurance policy for economic growth and social transformation. To resolve the confusion, the President revealed he has already directed parliamentary leaders to refine the draft.
“I have talked to Hon. Hamson Obua and the Chairpersons 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,” the President added.
President Museveni also used the occasion to advocate for influence through example rather than coercion. He cited his private efforts to revive the Ankole cattle breed as a successful example of private initiative overcoming bureaucratic skepticism. He concluded by urging those seeking to influence others to do so by setting a positive example rather than using manipulative tactics.
