Parliament to Discuss a Bill Allowing Civilians Trials in Military Courts

Kampala, Uganda – Uganda’s Parliament is preparing to discuss a new law that could once again allow civilians to be tried in military courts, even though the country’s Supreme Court recently said such trials are illegal.

The Uganda People Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025 will be on the Parliament’s agenda from April 15 to 17, 2025, according to a letter written by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. She also serves as the government’s Leader of Business in Parliament. In her letter dated April 10, 2025, she listed this bill as the top item to be discussed during that week.

This move comes shortly after the ruling party NRM (National Resistance Movement) withdrew an earlier version of the same bill following a Supreme Court decision that declared it unconstitutional to try civilians in military courts.

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President Yoweri Museveni, who chairs the NRM caucus, had asked Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka to draft a new version of the bill that addresses the concerns raised by the court.

However, it is still not clear if the new version respects the court’s ruling or brings back the same rules that were rejected earlier.

Why It’s Controversial

Many lawyers, opposition leaders, and human rights organizations are strongly against trying civilians in military courts. They say it goes against the idea of fair trials and the independence of civilian law.

The issue became even more sensitive after the Supreme Court’s ruling affected high-profile political figures like Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya. Both men are facing serious charges, including treachery and illegal gun possession, and are still in detention even though courts had granted them bail.

This has raised many questions about the government's respect for the law and people's rights. The opposition in Parliament is expected to strongly resist any part of the bill that seems to go against the Supreme Court’s judgment.

Other Parliament Business

Aside from the UPDF Amendment Bill, Parliament will also hear a statement from the Minister of Gender, Labour, and Social Development regarding plans for International Labour Day.