By Sekaggya Seka Moses
As the Ugandan Parliament resumes business this Tuesday, the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is scheduled for its first reading.
This bill sparked intense controversy, particularly regarding the potential expansion of the UPDF martial court’s jurisdiction to try civilians.
Concerns About Martial Court Jurisdiction
The proposal to grant the UPDF martial court powers to try civilians raised concerns among opposition figures and human rights advocates.
Chief Justice Owiny-Dollo recently confirmed that the martial court lacks the authority to try civilians, citing its lack of qualification as a court under the law.
This development comes after the government withdrew the previous UPDF Act that governed the martial court.
Critics argue that granting the martial court jurisdiction over civilians would undermine the rule of law and erode the independence of the judiciary.
They contend that civilians should be tried in civilian courts, where they can access fair trials and due process.
The opposition fears that this move would give the military undue influence over the civilian population, potentially leading to human rights abuses.
Impact on Political Prisoners
The bill’s implications are significant, especially considering the cases of political prisoners like Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Lutale, and others who were tried in the martial court.
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, remains in prison, and his case drawn attention to the issue of martial court jurisdiction over civilians.
Many are concerned that this bill would legitimize the detention of political opponents and limit their ability to challenge the government.
Allegations of Bribery
The opposition also raised allegations of bribery, with Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi claiming that MPs were offered 100 million shillings each to support the bill.
This claim sparked outrage and raised questions about the integrity of the legislative process. If true, such actions would undermine the legitimacy of the bill and the democratic process as a whole.
Parliamentary Dynamics
With the ruling party holding a significant majority in Parliament, with over 300 members out of 529, the bill’s passage is likely.
The opposition’s concerns about the bill’s implications for civilians being tried in martial courts will likely be a point of contention during the debate.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the opposition will likely argue that the bill is unconstitutional and threatens the fundamental rights of Ugandan citizens.
What’s Next
The bill’s first reading tomorrow Tuesday 13-05-2025 will mark the beginning of a crucial process that will determine the fate of the proposed amendments.
Stakeholders and the public will be closely watching the proceedings, given the potential impact on the country’s justice system and human rights landscape.
As the debate unfolds, it remains to be seen how MPs will vote on the bill and whether the concerns of the opposition and civil society will be taken into account.
The outcome of this process will have far-reaching implications for Uganda’s democracy, the rule of law, and the relationship between the military and civilian populations.
Many are watching to see whether Parliament will prioritize the interests of the ruling party or uphold the principles of justice and human rights.
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