By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Parliament in Uganda has passed an amended law allowing military tribunals to try civilians, despite a January ruling by the Supreme Court banning such trials, a development that has prompted protests among the opposition.
The Supreme Court placed a ban on the court martial of civilians, saying the military tribunals lack legal competence to handle criminal trials of civilians in a fair and impartial manner.
The verdict was on the ruling involving the trial of prominent opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, who was undergoing military prosecution for offences bordering on treason.
But after the ruling, the President Yoweri Museveni vowed to enact a law legalizing the use of military courts to try civilians.
In a post on the X social media platform on Tuesday, parliament said the legislation had been passed. It is expected to be assented to by President Yoweri.
Besigye, who has previously challenged Museveni in electoral contest four times was last year detained in neighbouring Kenya before he was brought to Uganda to face a military court.
The trial of civilians in military court which has been in practice for two decades, has long been criticised by opposition politicians and rights campaigners who accuse the government of using it to silence opponents.
Head of the country’s military, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, praised the speaker of parliament and government lawmakers for passing the bill. “Today, you proved you are fearless patriots! Uganda will remember your courage and commitment,” he said on X.
Military spokesman Chris Magezi said 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.”
During a debate on the law, opposition politician Jonathan Odur, said the legislation was “shallow, unreasonable and unconstitutional.”
“There’s no legal basis to provide for trial of civilians in the military court.”
A right group, Human Rights Watch has previously criticised Uganda’s military courts, saying they did not meet international judicial standards of competence, independence and impartiality.
Museveni has accused civilian court of lacking competence to try high profile “criminal” cases, concluding illegal possession of weapons, which Besigye was accused of.
