(Brussels, June 5, 2026) — Uganda’s newly gazetted “The Protection of Sovereignty Act” is aimed at limiting the activities and voices of environmental defenders, climate activists, and other civil society organizations, Climate Rights International said today. Several provisions are overly broad and could restrict legitimate advocacy, public-interest research, international cooperation, and criticism of government policies, while the threat of criminal sanctions could discourage individuals and organizations from engaging in lawful advocacy and public debate.

The new law criminalizes promoting “foreign interests” against those of Uganda—as defined by the government—and restricts certain foreign-supported activities. The law’s broad and ambiguous language could restrict legitimate advocacy and civic participation, concerns shared by Ugandan and international civil society organizations, the Ugandan Law Society, Uganda’s own government-appointed Human Rights Commission, and other observers. Vague provisions backed by criminal penalties could expose activists, researchers, and civil society groups to investigation or prosecution for activities that should be protected under rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly guaranteed by Uganda’s Constitution and international human rights law. The legislation faced opposition from Ugandan civil society organizations, lawyers, business groups, development organizations, religious leaders, the World Bank, and the Bank of Uganda.

“Using the pretext of national sovereignty, the Ugandan government has passed a law that limits freedom of expression and criminalizes legitimate civil society activities,” said Brad Adams, Executive Director at Climate Rights International. “This appears to be, in part, a reaction to Ugandan opposition to the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline and related oil drilling, a massive carbon bomb that has also led to serious human rights abuses. But environmental defenders, climate advocates, and community organizations are not threats to Uganda’s sovereignty. They help communities participate in decisions that affect their land, livelihoods, environment, and future.”

President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, signed the law on May 18, 2026, and it came into force on May 22, 2026, when it was published in the official gazette.

The law comes amid broader concerns about shrinking civic space in Uganda. In recent years, authorities have arrested and brought criminal charges against opposition politicians, their supporters, journalists, activists, and other government critics. Environmental and climate defenders have not been spared. Hundreds of activists have been arrested in connection with peaceful advocacy on climate and fossil fuel issues, while others have faced harassment, criminal charges, and other restrictions. Climate Rights International has documented arrests and harassment of environmental activists following peaceful protests and community advocacy related to Uganda’s oil sector.

The timing of the new law is particularly troubling as Uganda prepares for first oil production through developments around Lake Albert, including the Kingfisher and Tilenga projects and the construction of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, which is estimated to produce 379 million tonnes  CO2 equivalent across its 25-year life cycle. Civil society organizations have played an important role in helping communities understand project impacts, advocating for greater transparency and consultation, documenting harms, and helping displaced farmers secure fairer compensation. Restricting civic space risks undermining these contributions when independent oversight is most needed.

Activism to fight climate change and large-scale energy projects often requires cooperation between local organizations, researchers, local communities, and international partners. Many Ugandan organizations rely on these relationships to advance work on climate change, conservation, pollution, and land rights. Uganda has produced some of Africa’s most influential climate activists, helping draw international attention to the country’s climate challenges and the need for greater climate finance and adaptation support. The new law risks making it harder for Ugandan voices to participate in international forums and advocate for the resources Ugandan communities need to respond to climate change.

The new law also raises concerns for companies operating in Uganda’s oil and gas, mining, infrastructure, and renewable energy sectors. Under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, companies have a responsibility to respect the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. Companies should not rely on the law to restrict engagement with civil society organizations or affected communities, and should continue to respect rights protected by the Guiding Principles.

Uganda has long had one of East Africa’s most vibrant civil society sectors, which makes the unresolved constitutional questions surrounding several provisions of the law particularly concerning. The new  law mirrors so-called “foreign agent” and “sovereignty” laws adopted in countries such as Russia and comes amid broader concerns about shrinking civic space across the region, including in neighboring Tanzania. As Uganda and Tanzania advance major oil developments, including EACOP, transparency, accountability, and public participation should be strengthened, not weakened.

Climate Rights International called on Ugandan authorities to fully respect constitutional protections for freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and ensure that implementation of the law complies with Uganda’s international human rights obligations and does not impede the legitimate work of environmental defenders, journalists, researchers, community organizations, and civil society groups.

Climate Rights International also called on Uganda’s African allies and core international donors, including the United Kingdom, the European Union and its member states, to speak out against the new law, urge its repeal, and insist that protecting and respecting civic space, peaceful dissent, and environmental defenders is a cornerstone of democratic governance and the commitments Uganda undertook when it ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and a host of UN human rights conventions.

“Shrinking civic space increases risks for communities, investors, and companies,” said Adams. “When people cannot safely raise concerns, it becomes harder to identify and address problems before they escalate into conflict, litigation, reputational harm, or project delays. Ignoring warning signs is a recipe for bigger problems later.”