In a big decision made on January 31st, 2025, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that the General Court Martial (the army court) should no longer have the power to try civilians. But President Yoweri Museveni was not happy with that ruling. He strongly disagreed and promised to change the law so that the army court can get its powers back.
Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who is also the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), fully supported his father. During a speech in Kyotera while celebrating Tarehe Sita (Army Day), he made it clear that he too disagrees with the Supreme Court ruling.
Before all this went public, members of the ruling NRM party had already held several meetings at State House. They came up with a plan to change the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) law. This new plan is called the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025.
Parliament is starting its new session today, and the bill is already on the agenda. This afternoon, the Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, will present the bill for the first reading under item number 3.
The bill includes some big changes:
The General Court Martial will be restructured with the help of legal experts.
People who are sentenced by the army court will now have the right to appeal in civilian courts.
Many Ugandans believe that if this bill passes, civilians will once again be tried by army courts—perhaps even more often than before.
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) are not happy. They are asking why this bill is being rushed while many political prisoners are still in jail. These prisoners haven’t even had their cases moved to civilian courts, as ordered by the Supreme Court, so they can apply for bail.
Opposition leaders are also saying Uganda needs important changes to its election system first—not quick changes to army laws.
There’s also talk about money being given to MPs. Reports say that President Museveni gave 100 million shillings to each NRM MP as a “thank you” for their support. Lydia Wanyoto, the NRM Women’s League leader, and Kirunda Faruke, the Deputy State House Press Secretary, confirmed this. But most MPs deny receiving the money. However, one MP, Twaha Kagabo—who left the opposition NUP party and joined NRM—admitted he got the money.
