By Opposition Members of Parliament have condemned President Yoweri Museveni’s assent to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Act, accusing the government of using military courts to target civilians and suppress dissent.
The legislators say the law, which expands the powers of the military to try civilians in cases involving treason, murder, and possession of military equipment, is unconstitutional and intended to tighten Museveni’s grip on power.
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Allan Mayanja Ssebunya, the MP for Nakaseke Central, described the amended law as a tool crafted to serve the president’s personal interests rather than the country’s security needs.
“This law was passed to benefit President Museveni. It’s not about justice, it’s about control,” said Mayanja. “We are now seeing civilians being dragged into military courts, something the Supreme Court has already declared unconstitutional.”
Mayanja urged Ugandans not to lose faith in Parliament despite the opposition being outnumbered. “We may be few, but we are still fighting for what is right. I encourage citizens to remain vigilant and continue pushing for accountability,” he said.
He added that the law risks turning military courts into instruments of repression. “The UPDF Act amendment is not a show of strength it’s a show of fear. The government is afraid of its people.”
The opposition’s rejection of the law comes amid renewed calls from civil society and legal activists to challenge it in court, arguing that it violates fundamental rights and undermines the independence of the judiciary.
