Uganda Parliament Approves Military Trials for Civilians: Besigye Case in Limbo

Uganda's Parliament Passes Controversial Bill Allowing Military Courts to Try Civilians Uganda's parliament recently passed a bill that allows military courts to try civilians, a move that has sparked intense debate and criticism. The bill, passed on May 20th, 2025, grants military tribunals the power to prosecute civilians accused of certain offenses. This decision has raised concerns among opposition parties who argue it undermines the rule of law and violates a previous Supreme Court ruling declaring such trials unconstitutional. "This law is a blatant attempt to silence dissent and undermine the independence of the judiciary," stated a spokesperson for the National Unity Platform (NUP), the main opposition party. President Yoweri Museveni, however, has defended the bill, claiming it is necessary to deal decisively with armed criminals and deter the formation of militant political groups. The controversy is further intensified by the potential impact on the case of Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition figure. Besigye, who was previously tried in a military court, could see his case returned to a military tribunal under the new legislation. Besigye and his ally, Obeid Lutale, deny accusations of illegal possession of firearms and planning against the Ugandan army, claiming their alleged plans were made outside Uganda between October 2023 and November 2024. The Supreme Court's January 2025 ruling deemed it unconstitutional to try civilians in military courts due to a lack of legal competence to guarantee fair and impartial hearings. The ruling compelled Ugandan authorities to transfer Besigye's trial to a civilian court. The contrasting views of the ruling party and the opposition highlight the deep political divisions within Uganda. The ongoing debate underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair and just judicial system for all citizens.