A recent amendment re-establishing military trials for civilians has sparked outrage from activists and legal professionals.
Uganda Enacts Controversial Law Permitting Military Trials for Civilians
Uganda Enacts Controversial Law Permitting Military Trials for Civilians
New legislation signed by President Museveni faces backlash amid concerns for judicial fairness and opposition targeting.
In a significant legislative move, Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni has enacted a law that enables civilians to be tried in military courts under specific conditions. This decision follows a previous ruling by the Supreme Court declaring such trials unconstitutional due to concerns about impartiality and fairness. Prior to this ruling, civilians found with military paraphernalia, including firearms or soldier uniforms, were subject to military court proceedings, a law critics claimed was often abused to silence dissenting voices.
Despite arguments from opposition lawmakers and heightened security during parliamentary deliberations, the amendment was passed last month. It has been met with scrutiny from rights advocates, who warn that it could be used selectively against political opponents. Opposition leader Bobi Wine expressed his fears that the law directly targets dissenters within Uganda's political arena, stating, "All of us in the opposition are being targeted by the act."
The new law introduces guidelines intended to address previous constitutional concerns, mandating that tribunal judges possess appropriate legal credentials and training while ensuring their independence. However, the provision still allows military courts to process civilians accused of possessing military items, raising alarms over the potential for misuse.
The military's standpoint, articulated by spokesperson Col Chris Magezi, claims the law fortifies national security by effectively dealing with violent criminals and militant groups that threaten democratic processes. Nonetheless, critics highlight a troubling pattern of the military court system being utilized as a tool against government adversaries. Human rights lawyer Gawaya Tegulle lamented the predicaments faced by political opponents, stating that justice remains elusive once they are funneled through military proceedings.
A notorious case in recent months involved leading opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was arrested and taken across the border from Kenya to face military charges, only to see those charges eventually dropped when his case transitioned to a civilian court after the Supreme Court ruling.
President Museveni, in office since 1986, has voiced strong support for military jurisdiction over civilian issues, labeling the Supreme Court ruling as "the wrong decision" and asserting that governance is rooted in the will of the people rather than judicial mandates. He emphasized the urgency in addressing crimes involving firearms that civilian courts reportedly struggle to manage expeditiously.
As Uganda moves forward under this controversial legislation, the implications for civic rights and political expression remain under scrutiny as activists prepare to challenge the amendment's constitutionality.
Despite arguments from opposition lawmakers and heightened security during parliamentary deliberations, the amendment was passed last month. It has been met with scrutiny from rights advocates, who warn that it could be used selectively against political opponents. Opposition leader Bobi Wine expressed his fears that the law directly targets dissenters within Uganda's political arena, stating, "All of us in the opposition are being targeted by the act."
The new law introduces guidelines intended to address previous constitutional concerns, mandating that tribunal judges possess appropriate legal credentials and training while ensuring their independence. However, the provision still allows military courts to process civilians accused of possessing military items, raising alarms over the potential for misuse.
The military's standpoint, articulated by spokesperson Col Chris Magezi, claims the law fortifies national security by effectively dealing with violent criminals and militant groups that threaten democratic processes. Nonetheless, critics highlight a troubling pattern of the military court system being utilized as a tool against government adversaries. Human rights lawyer Gawaya Tegulle lamented the predicaments faced by political opponents, stating that justice remains elusive once they are funneled through military proceedings.
A notorious case in recent months involved leading opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was arrested and taken across the border from Kenya to face military charges, only to see those charges eventually dropped when his case transitioned to a civilian court after the Supreme Court ruling.
President Museveni, in office since 1986, has voiced strong support for military jurisdiction over civilian issues, labeling the Supreme Court ruling as "the wrong decision" and asserting that governance is rooted in the will of the people rather than judicial mandates. He emphasized the urgency in addressing crimes involving firearms that civilian courts reportedly struggle to manage expeditiously.
As Uganda moves forward under this controversial legislation, the implications for civic rights and political expression remain under scrutiny as activists prepare to challenge the amendment's constitutionality.
