On 22 April 2026, an X Spaces discussion on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026, hosted by the Digital Agenda Forum, brought together MPs, a digital rights lawyer, and a podcast host. The Bill, laid before Parliament on 15 April, calls for public submissions by 24 April. The forum analysed it from a data and digital perspective, noting that modern sovereignty extends beyond territory to include digital infrastructure. Yet the Bill largely ignores critical digital issues like data protection, localisation, and cross-border data flows, despite Uganda’s reliance on global cloud services and undersea cables.

The discussion highlighted a core contradiction: legislating sovereignty while government systems depend on foreign clouds. The Bill’s silence on data raises concerns about whether sovereignty is framed for control rather than empowerment. Key questions explored included the Bill’s impact on citizens, startups, fintechs, and digital rights, ultimately asking: what is the single most important thing this Bill must get right before it passes?

Find the Recording here or at this link.