President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has defied his own Supreme Court by signing legislation that will subject civilians to military tribunals, potentially targeting political opposition as elections approach.
Key Takeaways
- Ugandan President Museveni has signed the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025, allowing military courts to try civilians despite a previous Supreme Court ruling declaring such practices unconstitutional.
- The law specifically targets civilians accompanying military units or possessing firearms, which critics argue could be used to silence political opposition, particularly aimed at opposition leader Bobi Wine.
- The bill passed amid an opposition boycott and heavy police presence, raising concerns about democratic processes in Uganda.
- Legal organizations including Uganda’s Bar Association and Law Society are preparing constitutional challenges against the new law.
- The controversial move has drawn international condemnation from human rights groups and UN officials.
Defying Constitutional Precedent
In a move that signals growing authoritarianism, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2025, permitting military tribunals to try civilians. This controversial legislation directly contradicts a prior Supreme Court ruling that had deemed such trials unconstitutional, representing a significant regression in Uganda’s legal framework. The amendment specifically targets civilians accompanying military units and those found in possession of firearms or ammunition, categories broad enough to potentially ensnare political opponents and government critics.
Government supporters defend the law as necessary for national security, particularly in addressing armed criminals. “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. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!,” said Col Chris Magezi, a military spokesperson.
Opposition Fears Political Targeting
Opposition figures view the law as a direct threat to their political activities and personal freedoms. The legislation passed amid an opposition boycott and significant police presence, raising serious questions about democratic processes in Uganda. Political observers note the timing of this legislative change is particularly concerning as Uganda approaches upcoming elections, with opposition leaders preparing challenges against Museveni’s long-standing regime. The military courts are notorious for harsh penalties and limited due process.
“All of us in the opposition are being targeted by the act,” stated Bobi Wine, Museveni’s primary political opponent.
Critics point to a pattern of using military courts to silence government critics, with allegations of planted evidence becoming increasingly common. Human rights lawyer Gawaya Tegulle offered a stark assessment of the situation: “If you are a political opponent then they will find a way of getting you under the military court and then you know your fate is sealed… once there, justice will never visit your door,” said Gawaya Tegulle.
Legal Challenges Mounting
The Uganda Law Society and the country’s Bar Association have announced plans to challenge the law’s constitutionality. These legal organizations maintain that the amendment undermines fundamental principles of the rule of law and violates constitutional protections. Proponents of the legislation claim it has been updated to address previous court concerns by improving coordination between civilian and military courts, but legal experts remain unconvinced that these changes are sufficient to overcome constitutional objections.
The legislation has also attracted international criticism, with United Nations officials and global human rights organizations condemning the move as a serious regression in Uganda’s human rights record. This controversy represents yet another example of judiciary independence being compromised in favor of executive power, a concerning trend in several African nations where established democratic principles are increasingly under threat. As legal challenges proceed, Uganda faces a significant constitutional crisis that will test the independence of its judiciary and the resilience of its democratic institutions.
