Uganda’s parliament has approved a bill that permits civilians to be tried in military courts. The 2025 Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill aims to revise the country’s military justice system. If President Yoweri Museveni signs it into law, military courts will have the authority to try nonmilitary personnel for crimes related to the army, such as offenses committed in collaboration with soldiers.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled against military trials of civilians, declaring them unconstitutional and outside the jurisdiction of military courts. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has also stated that “military courts should not, in any circumstances whatsoever, have jurisdiction over civilians.” Following this ruling, all ongoing civilian trials in military courts were ordered to be transferred to civilian court systems.
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, President Museveni pledged to amend national laws to reinstate military trials for civilians. Human Rights Watch has reported numerous cases where civilians were tried in military courts lacking due process and impartiality. These courts have often been used against political opponents of Museveni, including former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye. In November 2024, Besigye was charged with possessing firearms and ammunition belonging to the military. His case was moved to ordinary courts after the Supreme Court ruling; he remains detained awaiting trial.
Besigye’s lawyer, Eron Kiiza, was sentenced to nine months in jail for contempt of court following an incident with a military tribunal but was released on bail by the High Court on April 4.
The revised law could pose significant risks to political opposition rights ahead of Uganda’s general elections scheduled for early 2026. Authorities have reportedly increased repressive actions, including beating and arbitrarily detaining journalists covering a by-election in Kampala and abducting opposition supporters.
“Museveni should not sign this regressive law but instead stem the tide of repression against his political opponents ahead of the elections.”
