Tue May 20 20:13:59 UTC 2025: ## Uganda Reinstates Military Trials for Civilians, Sparking Outcry
**Kampala, Uganda** – The Ugandan Parliament has passed a controversial bill authorizing military tribunals to try civilians, defying a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that deemed the practice unconstitutional. The move has been met with strong condemnation from opposition figures and human rights groups, who accuse President Yoweri Museveni’s government of using the military justice system to silence dissent.
The legislation, approved on Tuesday, allows civilians accused of certain offenses to be tried in military courts. Government officials defend the bill as crucial for national security, citing concerns about armed opposition and threats to state stability. Military spokesperson Chris Magezi stated the law would “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.”
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the military and President Museveni’s son, praised the parliamentarians’ decision in a post on X, saying, “Today, you proved you are fearless patriots! Uganda will remember your courage and commitment.” Kainerugaba recently admitted to holding a missing opposition activist in his basement and threatened him with violence, further fueling concerns about the government’s increasingly authoritarian tactics.
Critics argue the new law is a blatant attempt to circumvent the January Supreme Court ruling, which stated that military tribunals lack the legal competence to try civilians and fail to meet fair trial standards. Opposition MP Jonathan Odur described the legislation as “shallow, unreasonable and unconstitutional,” arguing there is no legal basis for trying civilians in military courts.
Uganda has a history of using military courts to prosecute opposition politicians and government critics. Prominent figures like pop star-turned-opposition-leader Bobi Wine and veteran politician Kizza Besigye have previously faced charges in military tribunals, often seen as politically motivated.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has consistently criticized Uganda’s military courts for failing to meet international standards of judicial independence and fairness. Oryem Nyeko, senior Africa researcher at HRW, stated earlier this year that “The Ugandan authorities have for years misused military courts to crack down on opponents and critics.”
The reinstatement of military trials for civilians raises serious concerns about the erosion of judicial independence and the rule of law in Uganda, further exacerbating tensions between the government and its critics. The international community is closely watching the situation, with mounting pressure for the Ugandan government to respect fundamental human rights and ensure fair trials for all citizens.
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