The Members of Parliament from the opposition in Kabale District have condemned the passing of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Bill 2025, warning that it poses a serious threat to the rule of law.
Parliament passed the controversial bill on Tuesday, which reinstates the trial of civilians in military courts. However, lawmakers failed to resolve key contentious clauses, especially those defining the “exceptional circumstances” under which civilians may be tried by the military, and what constitutes military attire.
Dr. Nicholas Kamara, MP for Kabale Municipality, criticized the bill, arguing that it was passed in bad faith. He claimed the legislation is politically motivated and designed to score points for President Yoweri Museveni while intimidating those who oppose his government.
CUE IN MP KAMARA……ON THE BILL…….ENG//
Ndorwa East MP, Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba, echoed these concerns, warning that even ruling party MPs may one day fall victim to the same law. He cautioned National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators that the bill could be used to suppress opposition voices pushing for political change.
CUE IN MP NIWAGABA…….ON THE BILL……RR.ENG//
Robert Byamugisha Kakuru, Executive Director of Kick Corruption out of Uganda, acknowledged that while the bill proposes elevating the court martial chairperson’s rank to that of a judge and seeks to reinforce military discipline, it significantly undermines judicial independence.
Byamugisha called on President Museveni to withhold assent to the bill. Instead, he proposed that such a critical issue with far-reaching implications for civilians should be decided through a national referendum.
CUE IN BYAMUGISHA…….ON THE BILL……RR//
Meanwhile, President Yoweri Museveni congratulated Parliament on passing the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025, saying it empowers the General Court Martial to try armed civilians involved in murder.
The President praised lawmakers who supported the amendment, asserting that they saved the country from the danger of shielding armed civilians and rogue soldiers from justice.
He called on critics of the bill to leave military matters to the appropriate authorities and urged them to apologize for what he described as an attempt to lead the country into potential chaos.
“Civilians who use guns to commit murder have, by that very act, voluntarily submitted themselves to military law,” the President declared.
CUE IN PRESIDENT MUSEVENI…..ON UPDF BILL…….LUG//
