By Parliament is set to pass the contentious Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025 on Tuesday, May 20, during its 34th sitting of the 4th Session. According to the official Order Paper, the bill is scheduled for both its second and third readings under the supervision of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
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The bill, which proposes sweeping reforms to the structure, authority, and deployment of the UPDF, has drawn criticism from sections of the public and opposition figures who say the legislative process is being rushed through without sufficient consultation or transparency.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi expressed deep concern over the process, accusing the government of staging a choreographed and hurried procedure designed to avoid scrutiny.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Ssenyonyi revealed that committee members handling the bill were only dispatched this weekend to draft their report at a hotel, just days ahead of the scheduled plenary. “Consultations from different stakeholders were not given time,” he wrote. “Committee members are traveling today to a certain hotel to write their report… all in record time!”
The Opposition has yet to agree on a unified response to the Tuesday sitting. Ssenyonyi said they were weighing options — including a possible boycott though others within the opposition ranks have argued for attending to put their objections on the record and challenge the bill’s flaws in open debate.
“Some members of the public have said that as the Opposition we should stay away from Tuesday’s sitting so as not to sanitize this choreographed event, while others think it’s important for us to be present to at least have our stand record standnyonyi explained, adding that a final decision would be made following consultations.
Despite the protests, the bill’s inclusion in Tuesday’s Order Paper signals that the government is determined to proceed with its passage. Critics have warned that the proposed amendments could increase military influence in civilian affairs and reduce accountability, especially in light of recent concerns over the conduct of security forces.
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“As a citizenry, we must salvage our country Uganda,” Ssenyonyi added, rallying citizens to remain alert to what he described as increasingly authoritarian tendencies.
The Parliament session is expected to commence at 10:00 AM. The UPDF Amendment Bill is one of two key items listed, alongside the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
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