The Government Chief Whip, Obua Denis Hamson, has summoned all ruling party legislators to a crucial caucus meeting ahead of today’s highly anticipated debate on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026.
According to an official notice dated May 4, NRM Members of Parliament have been called to convene at 9:30am at the Conference Hall, Office of the President, just hours before Parliament sits at 2:00pm to consider the contentious Bill.
The meeting is expected to shape the ruling party’s position amid growing internal divisions and mounting pressure over the proposed legislation.
The development comes as National Resistance Movement legislators remain sharply split on both the substance of the Bill and the manner in which it has been tabled. Several MPs have raised concerns about limited time to review key provisions, calling for a clause-by-clause examination before any final vote is taken.
Others within the party are reportedly pushing for a unified front, wary that visible dissent could weaken the government’s position during one of the most politically sensitive legislative processes in recent months.
At the center of the debate is the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, which its proponents argue is necessary to safeguard Uganda’s national interests against external influence. However, critics warn that some of its provisions could have far-reaching consequences on civil liberties, governance, and investor confidence.
The urgency of the Chief Whip’s summons underscores the stakes involved. Caucus meetings traditionally serve to harmonize positions within the ruling party, and today’s gathering is widely seen as a last-minute effort to bridge divisions before the Bill is presented for its Second and Third Readings.
The debate will unfold in the Parliament of Uganda under heightened political tension, following reports of disagreements during a recent joint committee retreat in Munyonyo and emerging signals of caution from President Yoweri Museveni.
With both procedural and substantive issues unresolved, today’s sitting is expected to test party cohesion and legislative consensus. The outcome could not only determine the fate of the Bill but also reveal the depth of internal dynamics within the ruling establishment at a critical political moment.
