Faith Nyasuguta
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has officially signed a controversial law allowing military tribunals to try civilians under certain conditions, despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that deemed such practices unconstitutional.
The new law, passed by Parliament in May and confirmed Monday, amends the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act to reintroduce military court jurisdiction over civilians accused of possessing weapons, wearing military uniforms, or engaging in acts deemed threatening to national security.
In January, Uganda’s Supreme Court had ruled that military trials for civilians violated the constitution, citing a lack of independence, transparency, and legal expertise in military courts. Judges ordered the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts, including the high-profile case of opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who had long criticized Museveni’s leadership.
However, the government responded by fast-tracking amendments to reinstate the practice, despite a boycott by opposition MPs, who said the move openly defied the court’s judgment and set a dangerous precedent.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, argues the law is necessary to curb political violence. His supporters claim the tribunals will only be used against civilians involved in armed crimes or subversive activities, not ordinary political dissent.
“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,” said army spokesperson Brig. Gen. Chris Magezi on X.
Human rights groups, however, remain unconvinced. Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have condemned the decision, warning that military courts lack impartiality and could be used to suppress dissent ahead of the 2026 general elections. Similar concerns have been echoed by the UN Human Rights Office, which has called for Uganda to align its judicial practices with international legal standards.
Under the amended law, the military will now have renewed power to detain and try civilians without guarantees of the same rights provided in civilian courts. Legal experts say this risks undermining the rule of law and civil liberties in a country where political opposition has often faced harsh crackdowns.
Uganda’s courts may still intervene. If citizens file constitutional petitions, the Supreme Court could be asked to review and possibly strike down the law again, setting up a potential showdown between the judiciary and executive.
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