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Nearly half of the MPs in the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee who scrutinised and defended the controversial Sovereignty Bill 2026 will not be returning to the 12th Parliament, an analysis of the committee’s composition shows.
The House passed the bill last week amid public outcry over provisions critics say criminalise Ugandans, businesses and investors, tightening the state’s hand in the name of protecting national sovereignty. On social media, some Ugandans accused members of the responsible committee of backing the law to curry favour with the presidency and secure appointments after losing their seats in the 2026 polls.
The committee had 31 members, but at least 15 failed to make it back to the next Parliament. Those out include members Abdu Katuntu, Jonathan Odur, Solomon Silwanyi, Fox Odoi, Medard Sseggona, Asuman Basalirwa, Wilfred Nuwagaba, Bernard Odoi, Yona Musinguzi, Bosco Okiror, Bernabas Tinkasimire, Richard Oseku, Caroline Kamusiime, Peter Werikhe, and Pamela Kamugo, as well as chairperson Baka Mugabi. Despite the bill’s far-reaching implications, few of these MPs publicly highlighted its drawbacks during debate. Only Jonathan Odur is noted to have forcefully warned about the negative impact the new law could have, leaving questions about accountability as a new crop of legislators prepares to inherit its legacy in the 12th Parliament.
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