Uganda: after pressuring the media and repressing journalists, authorities now target press funding

In Uganda, the new Protection of Sovereignty Act is causing serious concern among journalists. Adopted by Parliament and signed into law by President Yoweri Museveni on 17 May 2026, the text officially aims to combat foreign interference. Among other provisions, it introduces the notion of an "agent of a foreigner". The definition covers anyone acting "on the order, request, supervision or under the direction or control" of a foreign actor, or whose activities are financed or subsidised by a foreigner, particularly if the activities are deemed to be aimed at influencing public policy or opposing government policy.

This dangerously broad definition could apply to journalists or media outlets receiving funding and training from, or that have editorial partnerships with, entities abroad. While several sectors, including academic, research and health institutions, are explicitly exempt from the new law, there is no such protection for independent media. Individual news professionals could face sentences of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of one billion UGX (just under 250,000 USD), while legal entities could be fined up to twice that amount. A media outlet receiving foreign financial support for any editorial or professional project (training, partnerships with international media outlets, etc.) and subsequently investigating a controversial reform or publishing a critical analysis of government policy could therefore fall within the scope of the law.

In late July, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the text, stating that the Ugandan authorities were creating "a climate of fear that is increasing self-censorship, further stifling public debate and deepening polarisation".

Offences that could target journalism critical of the authorities

Article 10 of the Protection of Sovereignty Act prohibits "agents of a foreigner" from soliciting or receiving "any assistance from a foreigner to sponsor or organise a meeting" aimed at promoting a foreign policy in Uganda "that has not been adopted by Cabinet as Government policy." The wording of Article 10 could allow for crackdowns on professional meetings concerning sensitive issues such as coverage of minority rights, in a country where sexual and gender minorities face repression. Article 11 prohibits any "influence" by a foreign agent over the will of voters, which could deter debate on electoral processes and the fact-checking of candidates' statements when a journalist or media outlet receives funding from abroad.

The law also establishes a significant oversight framework for organisations considered to be "agents of a foreigner": mandatory registration with a body under the authority of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the declaration of certain forms of foreign assistance and the possibility for financial institutions to block transfers intended for unregistered agents. These new rules could prevent a media outlet from receiving foreign funding.

Other provisions of the law also raise concerns. For example, Article 13 defines "economic sabotage" as "knowingly publish[ing] false information or participat[ing] in any disruptive act or activity which weakens, undermines or damages the economic system or viability of the country, to cause economic disruption, insecurity or instability". In practice, a journalist who publishes accurate information or an unflattering factual analysis of the economy, public finances, corruption or investment could be deemed as having committed a "disruptive act" if the authorities consider that it harms the economy. Moreover, the law does not specify who determines whether information is false, making it possible for the authorities to label accurate but inconvenient information as false.

A repressive context

These new risks add to a working environment that is already repressive for the press. On 10 September, journalist Eria Jjengo left the offices of his newsroom, Baba TV, in Kampala's Ntinda neighbourhood in the evening to buy food. He has been missing ever since. In late June, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Chief of Defence Forces and President Museveni's son, ordered soldiers to raid the headquarters of the country's largest media group, Nation Media Group Uganda, in an attempt to force its various outlets to stop their programmes. Regarding the legal framework, Criminal defamation under the Penal Code and the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act had been used to punish media critical of the authorities before being struck down by the Constitutional Court in March.