The Ugandan government is drafting legislation to permit military courts to prosecute civilians, directly challenging a January Supreme Court ruling that banned the practice.
Justice Minister Nobert Mao confirmed the bill—which would establish “exceptional circumstances” for trying civilians under military law—awaits cabinet approval before parliamentary debate.
The move comes just months after opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s high-profile case was transferred from military to civilian courts following the judicial ban.
How Besigye’s Case Continues to Test Uganda’s Judicial Independence
The proposed law could revive the military prosecution of Besigye, Museveni’s longtime political rival currently detained on weapons charges his attorneys call politically motivated.
The 66-year-old opposition figure was arrested in Kenya last November and faces a court-martial that human rights groups allege is part of a pattern of weaponizing Uganda’s military justice system against dissent.
Advocates are warning the legislation would reverse hard-won judicial protections, enable persecution of government critics, violate international due process standards.
“Military courts lack basic fair trial safeguards,” said Human Rights Watch’s Oryem Nyeko, noting Uganda’s history of trying civilians in tribunals where conviction rates exceed 98%.
The government reiterated that the measure targets only national security threats, not political opponents.
Legal Confrontation Brews Between Parliament and Judiciary
The Supreme Court’s January ruling explicitly found military trials of civilians unconstitutional, creating a potential constitutional crisis if the new law passes.
At 78 and in power since 1986, Museveni appears to be tightening legal frameworks ahead of 2026 elections.
Neighboring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo monitor the developments closely, as similar military justice expansions could ripple across the Great Lakes region.
With Besigye’s case hanging in the balance, the coming parliamentary session may determine whether Uganda continues its drift toward militarized governance.
