Uganda’s parliament has approved a controversial bill allowing civilians to be tried in military courts.
On Tuesday, Uganda’s lawmakers reignited a major controversy by passing a law that permits the military to try civilians. This comes even after the country’s Supreme Court had earlier declared the practice unlawful. The court had ruled in January that military courts lack the fairness and neutrality needed to handle civilian cases.
Museveni’s Supporters Back the Law
Despite the clear court judgment, legislators allied with President Yoweri Museveni pushed the bill through parliament. Their move has raised alarms among opposition leaders and civil rights groups, who say the law is a new way to suppress freedom and silence critics.
Opposition Voices Reject the Law
Opposition Member of Parliament Jonathan Odur was among the most vocal critics. He told fellow lawmakers that the law had no legal backing and called it an attack on justice. “Trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional and weakens our judiciary,” he said during the heated debate in the House.
Waiting for Museveni’s Final Word
The bill will now be sent to President Museveni for approval. Given his past support for the military’s wide role in handling internal matters, many expect him to sign it into law. For years, Museveni has backed military involvement in areas usually reserved for civilian institutions.
Military Justifies the Amendment
Defending the bill, army spokesperson Chris Magezi said the law will help in handling armed criminals and stopping dangerous political groups from creating chaos. He argued that the new powers would help protect the country’s democracy and ensure peace.
Fear of Targeting Political Rivals
However, many believe the law will mostly be used against opposition politicians and activists. Past cases have seen leaders like Kizza Besigye and Bobi Wine face military charges that many considered politically motivated. These trials drew sharp criticism from both local and international observers.
Human Rights Concerns Remain
Groups such as Human Rights Watch have long questioned the fairness of military courts in Uganda. They accuse the system of using torture to get confessions and failing to offer fair trials—claims the army strongly denies. Still, the latest amendment has raised new fears about justice and democracy in the country.
