By Adam Bukenya | Friday, May 23, 2025

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has lauded Parliament for passing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, calling it a critical move that has averted what he termed a looming constitutional “collision” between the military, judiciary, and legislature.

“There was going to be a serious problem,” Museveni said while addressing a leaders’ meeting in Mabaale Village, Luwero district. “Some were suggesting that if a soldier kills, rapes, or steals, they should be taken to sub-county civilian courts. That was going to cause a collision!”

Military Courts to Try Civilians in Specific Offenses

Passed on May 20, 2025, the amended Bill grants broader powers to military courts, notably allowing them to try civilians under certain circumstances—especially when:

• In possession of military equipment or attire
• Collaborating with soldiers in committing grave crimes such as treason or murder

Museveni defended the measure, stating that military justice has been central to Uganda’s post-bush-war discipline.

“Even if you’re not a soldier, if you use a gun to commit a crime, we’ll try you in military courts,” he said. “That’s how we maintained discipline after the bush war.”

A Warning to ‘Saboteurs’ of Military Justice

In a sharp rebuke to unnamed figures who opposed the bill, the President said:

“Those involved have to repent. You were leading us into embarrassment.”

Sources close to State House suggest that Museveni viewed some proposals as deliberate attempts to weaken the army’s disciplinary framework by shielding rogue actors under civilian legal protections.

UPDF Bill: Key Provisions

The UPDF Amendment Bill 2025 introduces several reforms, including:

• Expanded Jurisdiction: Civilians can now be tried in military courts under narrowly defined military-related offenses.
• Court Structure: Establishes three levels of military courts—the General Court Martial, Division Court Martial, and Unit Court Martial—with clearly defined qualifications for presiding officers.
• Appeals Process: Introduces a clear appellate route from the General Court Martial to the Court of Appeal, and ultimately to the Supreme Court.
• Checks on Death Penalty: Any military court-imposed death sentence must first be confirmed by the Supreme Court before execution, ensuring due process.

The law also criminalizes unauthorized possession, sale, or wearing of military uniforms or equipment, reinforcing their status as exclusive to the UPDF.

Human Rights Concerns vs. National Security

While the bill has sparked criticism from opposition politicians and human rights groups, who argue it threatens the separation between military and civilian jurisdictions, Museveni insists it is a necessary safeguard in a region prone to instability.

“We have 1.8 million refugees from the region. They’re here because Uganda has peace,” Museveni said. “Why? Because we didn’t joke with security matters.”

He emphasized that peace and stability in Uganda stem from decisive leadership and strict discipline, not what he dismissed as “soft politics.”