Museveni Reintroduces Military Trials for Civilians
President Yoweri Museveni has officially signed into law a controversial amendment reintroducing military trials for civilians, despite a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that declared such trials unconstitutional.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025, signed on Monday, permits military courts to try civilians in specific circumstances particularly those involving illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, or classified military equipment.
The amended law is seen as a direct response to the Supreme Court’s January judgment, which ordered the immediate transfer of all civilian cases from military to civilian courts. That ruling had declared such military proceedings unconstitutional and a violation of fair trial rights.
Opposition figures and human rights activists have sharply criticized the move. Veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who had previously been detained and charged before a military court, is one of the most high-profile individuals likely to be affected by the new law.
His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, described the amendment as a deliberate attempt to “legitimise illegal arrests and detentions,” and warned that the law could pave the way for fresh crackdowns on dissent.
Presidential challenger Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, also condemned the law, accusing the government of using the military to silence critics ahead of the country’s 2026 general elections. “This law is not about justice. It is about intimidation,” he said.
The government, however, has defended the legislation, arguing that it is narrowly focused and intended to address serious threats to national security. A military spokesperson said it will only apply to civilians involved in armed political violence or possessing restricted weapons.
Legal analysts and rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have promised to challenge the new law in court. They argue that it undermines constitutional protections, violates previous court orders, and erodes judicial independence.
As Uganda approaches a tense political season, the reintroduction of military trials for civilians is likely to heighten political tensions and prompt renewed international scrutiny over the country’s human rights record.
