President Museveni has congratulated Members of Parliament from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party for passing what he described Sovereignty Bill.
Parliament on Tuesday passed the controversial bill after a heated debate.
In a statement on Wednesday, Museveni emphasized Uganda’s right to handle its internal affairs without external interference, referring to the bill as a reaffirmation of independence and self-determination.
Explaining its meaning in plain language, he said it simply means: “mutuleke tukole ebyaffe ngamwe bwemukola ebyamwe wataliwo okubayingilila” (“let us do our things by ourselves just as you do your own things without anybody interfering with you”).
He also criticized opponents of the bill.
“How shameful and disgusting to see people arguing otherwise,” Museveni said.
The president warned that foreign involvement in domestic issues can have serious consequences.
“Foreigners interfering in our internal issues is very dangerous.”
To illustrate his point, Museveni referenced the 1971 coup that brought Idi Amin to power.
He argued that foreign actors played a role in the overthrow of then-President Milton Obote.
“The Israelis led by one Barak and the British supported Idi Amin’s coup in 1971 because Obote was vocal in opposing their policy on Rhodesia.Edward Heath, the British Prime Minister, recognized Amin after only 10 days.”
Museveni emphasized that Uganda had been making progress before the coup despite earlier political differences.
“Many of us had had problems with Obote ever since 1962. However, by this time we were beginning to work together,” he said, pointing to efforts toward East African cooperation and support for liberation struggles across the continent.
He also highlighted economic growth at the time.
“Indeed, the economy of Uganda in 1969 grew by 11%.”
According to Museveni, the coup disrupted this progress and plunged the country into years of turmoil.
“We had to spend 8 years and a lot of deaths in order to solve the problem created for us by others,” he added.
Museveni urged Ugandans to reflect on history when discussing current national issues.
“As you discuss these issues, remember some of these tragedies,” he said, reiterating his congratulations to NRM MPs for passing the bill.
