Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law a controversial amendment that permits military courts to try civilians under specific circumstances, a move that defies a recent Supreme Court ruling declaring such trials unconstitutional. The legislation, passed by parliament in May amid a boycott by opposition lawmakers, seeks to reintroduce military jurisdiction over civilians accused of crimes involving weapons or threats to national security. The government argues the measure is necessary to combat violent crime and prevent armed political uprisings.
“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,” Ugandan army spokesperson Chris Magezi posted on X (formerly Twitter) following the law’s passage. However, the Supreme Court ruled in January that military tribunals lacked the impartiality and judicial competence required to handle civilian cases. That ruling led to the transfer of several high-profile cases—most notably the case of opposition figure Kizza Besigye—from military to civilian courts.
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Opposition lawmakers and human rights groups have condemned the new law, calling it a direct assault on constitutional protections and judicial independence. “This is a calculated effort to silence dissent and intimidate political opponents using the military justice system,” said a spokesperson for the Uganda Law Society. For decades, critics have accused Museveni’s government of using military courts to target opposition figures and suppress political activism. The president, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, insists that the law only applies to civilians who engage in armed violence or subversion.
Legal analysts note that the law could still face another challenge if citizens or advocacy groups file a petition with Uganda’s Constitutional Court. Until then, the law remains in force.
