Reuters

Uganda Leader Signs Law Reintroducing Military Trials Civilians 2025 06 16

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Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025, into law on Monday, allowing military tribunals to try civilians under certain circumstances despite a Supreme Court ruling in January declaring such trials unconstitutional.

BBC News

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025, into law on Monday, allowing military tribunals to try civilians under certain circumstances despite a Supreme Court ruling in January declaring such trials unconstitutional.

The legislation permits civilians to be tried in military courts if they are 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.

TRT Global

Africanews

The legislation permits civilians to be tried in military courts if they are 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.

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

Arise News

NTV Kenya

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

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."

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."

However, Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, a member of parliament, criticized the law's passage, stating that the lawmakers "watered down the ruling of the Supreme Court."

Peoples Gazette Nigeria

However, Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, a member of parliament, criticized the law's passage, stating that the lawmakers "watered down the ruling of the Supreme Court."

This comes after opposition leader Kizza Besigye was arrested in Kenya and charged in a military court before his case was transferred to a civilian court following the January Supreme Court ruling.

This comes after opposition leader Kizza Besigye was arrested in Kenya and charged in a military court before his case was transferred to a civilian court following the January Supreme Court ruling.

Reuters #0

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

TRT Global #

Africanews #

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.

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

Arise News #

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.

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

Reuters #

BBC News #

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".

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

Peoples Gazette Nigeria #

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ugandan President Museveni signs law reintroducing military trials of civilians

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

Uganda's Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

Freedom & human rights

Military

Uganda

This law is crucial for national security and addressing armed criminals who pose a threat to Uganda's stability. Military courts are necessary because civilian courts are too busy to handle gun-wielding criminals quickly, and the amendment addresses previous concerns by requiring legal qualifications for tribunal judges.

This law is crucial for national security and addressing armed criminals who pose a threat to Uganda's stability. Military courts are necessary because civilian courts are too busy to handle gun-wielding criminals quickly, and the amendment addresses previous concerns by requiring legal qualifications for tribunal judges.

Nation

Museveni Signs Law Allowing Military Courts To Try Civilians 508369

Parliament_Ug

The law directly contravenes the Supreme Court's constitutional ruling and serves as another means of silencing political dissent. Military courts often lack impartiality and competence, resulting in civilians facing harsher penalties and prolonged detention without proper judicial oversight.

The law directly contravenes the Supreme Court's constitutional ruling and serves as another means of silencing political dissent. Military courts often lack impartiality and competence, resulting in civilians facing harsher penalties and prolonged detention without proper judicial oversight.

Uganda's President Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

Uganda's MuseveniPresident Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

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Uganda's President Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

Uganda's MuseveniPresident Signs Law Allowing Military Trials for Civilians

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