Several experts have analysed and shared their views on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill, 2026 that is supposed to be tabled before parliament for debate and enactment. The experts have discussed the impact that the bill could have on non- governmental organisations. They have also discussed the impact that the bill could have on the private sector, including any company that is contracted by foreign firms to provide services. Missing from the discussion is the potential impact of the bill on Uganda’s tourism and travel industry. Uganda receives millions of visitors per year, and according to the ministry of Wildlife, Tourism and Antiquities, 70 per cent of these are from seven foreign countries. These include the United States of America (USA), Kenya, the United Kingdom (UK), DR Congo, Rwanda and Germany. Visitors from these countries fetch Uganda millions of dollars per year, with tourism earning the country Shs 5.8 trillion in FY 2024/2025. The sector also employs thousands of Ugandans, with available information indicating that the sector provided more than 803,000 jobs as at March 2025. Ugandans employed in the tourism and travel industry would be considered foreign agents per the Protection of Sovereignty Bill. This is because the bill defines foreign agents as “… any person whose activities are directly or indirectly … financed by a foreigner.” If the bill is passed in its current form, Ugandans working in the tourism and travel industry would be required to register with the minister of Internal Affairs as foreign agents. They would need to get certificates from the minister to receive payments for their services. These Ugandans would need to renew the certificates every two years. The bill, if passed into law, would create huge administrative burdens on tour and travel companies. It would also likely drive micro enterprises especially at community level out of business while seriously disrupting national earnings. One wonders: why are some people in government seeking to massively disrupt the economy? Have they fully thought about the impact of the Protection of Sovereignty Bill? Parliament should resoundingly reject this bill. Tourism sector stakeholders should come together and unequivocally demand that the bill is not passed into law. The writer is a concerned tourism sector stakeholderThe post Protection of Sovereignty Bill could massively disrupt tourism industry appeared first on The Observer.