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Uganda President Yoweri Museveni signs new law allowing military trials for civilians

Africanews

Uganda president signs law bringing back military trials for civilians

Reuters

Uganda Leader Signs Law Reintroducing Military Trials Civilians 2025 06 16

TRT Global

Uganda's president signs into law trial of civilians by military courts

NTV Kenya

NTV Kenya: Ugandas Museveni signs controversial law allowing military trials for civilians

Peoples Gazette Nigeria

Ugandan President Museveni signs law reintroducing military trials of civilians

Arise News

Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Trials For Civilians

Nation

Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Courts To Try Civilians 508369

Parliament_Ug

Monitor

What Next After Museveni Signs Disputed Updf Act  5084338#Stor

Legal Battle Looms After New Updf Law Expands Military Court Powers 508391

OHCHR

Uganda Turk Urges President Reject Bill Allowing Trials Civilians Militar

<span>The legislation permits civilians to be tried in military courts if found in possession of military equipment, guns, army uniforms or ammunition, effectively reviving a practice that the Supreme Court had banned earlier this year as neither impartial nor competent.</span

The legislation permits civilians to be tried in military courts if found in possession of military equipment, guns, army uniforms or ammunition, effectively reviving a practice that the Supreme Court had banned earlier this year as neither impartial nor competent.

<span>Parliament passed the amendment in May with 197 ruling National Resistance Movement party members voting in favor while opposition lawmakers boycotted the session, arguing the bill violated the Supreme Court's constitutional ruling.</span

Parliament passed the amendment in May with 197 ruling National Resistance Movement party members voting in favor while opposition lawmakers boycotted the session, arguing the bill violated the Supreme Court's constitutional ruling.

<span>Army spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi defended the law, stating it would "deal decisively with armed violent criminals" and "deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes".</span

Army spokesperson Colonel Chris Magezi defended the law, stating it would "deal decisively with armed violent criminals" and "deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes".

<span>Opposition leader Bobi Wine claimed "all of us in the opposition are being targeted by the Act," while human rights activists argue the military courts are used to persecute government critics and political opponents of Museveni.</span

Opposition leader Bobi Wine claimed "all of us in the opposition are being targeted by the Act," while human rights activists argue the military courts are used to persecute government critics and political opponents of Museveni.

<span>The high-profile case of opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was arrested in Kenya and charged in a military court before his case was transferred to civilian court following the January Supreme Court ruling, exemplifies the controversy surrounding military trials.</span

The high-profile case of opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was arrested in Kenya and charged in a military court before his case was transferred to civilian court following the January Supreme Court ruling, exemplifies the controversy surrounding military trials.

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Freedom & human rights

Military

Uganda

The law directly violates the Supreme Court's constitutional ruling and represents another tool for silencing political dissent. Military courts lack impartiality and competence, with civilians facing harsher penalties and prolonged detention without proper judicial oversight.

<span>The law directly violates the Supreme Court's constitutional ruling and represents another tool for silencing political dissent. Military courts lack impartiality and competence, with civilians facing harsher penalties and prolonged detention without proper judicial oversight.</span>

Uganda's Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

Uganda's Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

Uganda's presidentMuseveni signsSigns lawLaw bringingAllowing backMilitary militaryTrials trials for civiliansCivilians

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Uganda's Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

Uganda's presidentMuseveni signsSigns lawLaw bringingAllowing backMilitary militaryTrials trials for civiliansCivilians

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