Uganda leader signs new law allowing military trials for civilians
3 min read
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signs a law reinstating military trials for civilians, raising human rights concerns.
Uganda Reinstates Military Trials for Civilians Under New Law
Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling, President Museveni reintroduces military tribunals for civilians — sparking backlash from activists and opposition leaders.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed a controversial new law allowing civilians to be tried in military courts under certain conditions, despite a Supreme Court ruling in January that had declared the practice unconstitutional.
Before the court’s decision, civilians could be prosecuted in military tribunals if found in possession of military equipment such as firearms or army uniforms. However, activists and opposition leaders argued that this law was often abused to target government critics.
Parliament Bypasses Court Ruling
The new amendment, passed by Uganda’s parliament last month amid a heavy police presence and a boycott by opposition lawmakers, attempts to re-establish military trials by addressing some judicial concerns raised by the court.
It now requires that tribunal judges possess legal qualifications and that they maintain independence and impartiality in the discharge of their duties.
However, the law still permits civilians to be transferred to military courts if they are found with weapons or other military gear.
Military Says Law Aims to Deter Crime
In defense of the amendment, army spokesperson Col Chris Magezi posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The law will deal decisively with armed violent criminals, deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes, and ensure national security is bound on a firm foundational base. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
But critics fear a different outcome.
Opposition Voices Alarm
Bobi Wine, Uganda’s leading opposition figure, believes the law is designed to target political opponents.
“All of us in the opposition are being targeted by the act,” he told AFP.
Human rights lawyer Gawaya Tegulle voiced similar concerns in an interview with BBC’s Focus on Africa podcast:
“If you are a political opponent, they will find a way of getting you under the military court… once there, justice will never visit your door.”
He warned that suspects can spend years in detention awaiting decisions from military leadership and that military court penalties are often harsher than those in civilian courts. CHECK ALSO|Cape Town safety fears force parents to seek former white-only schools
Controversial History and High-Profile Cases
The Supreme Court’s earlier ruling came in the wake of multiple cases highlighting misuse of the military courts, including the November 2023 arrest of opposition veteran Kizza Besigye.
He was detained in Kenya, taken across the border, and charged in a military court with unlawful possession of weapons — charges he denied. After the Supreme Court ruling, the case was transferred to a civilian court and the charges were revised.
Despite the ruling, President Museveni expressed disagreement:
“The country is not governed by the judges. It is governed by the people.”
He previously argued that military tribunals were necessary to tackle terrorism and gun violence, and that civilian courts were too overwhelmed to address such threats swiftly.
About The Author
