By Uganda’s 11th Parliament passed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025 during Tuesday’s plenary sitting.
The bill, which has drawn intense public debate, introduces significant changes to military law and court-martial procedures. Critics, including opposition MPs and civil society, had raised concerns over the rushed process and lack of public consultation.
The controversial bill, consisting of 143 pages and 84 clauses, proposes significant changes to the UPDF Act, including new provisions for trying civilians under military law in undefined “exceptional circumstances.”
The bill also lists items whose possession could trigger military prosecution. These include not only weapons like AK-47s and pistols some of which are licensed under the Firearms Act but also substances like ammonium nitrate, which is widely used in agriculture and industry. Certain clothing items, such as “Kaunda suits” in specific colors, are now designated as UPDF-exclusive regalia under Schedules 7A and 7B of the bill.
Details coming shortly…
