By Kira Municipality MP and senior opposition legislator Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has strongly criticised the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, calling it a deliberate attempt to defy the Supreme Court and re-establish unconstitutional military courts with expanded powers over civilians.
Speaking shortly after the bill was tabled for its first reading in Parliament on Tuesday 13th May, Ssemujju described the new draft law as “a tactical move” by the military-backed government to reintroduce military courts under the guise of judicial reform.
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“They are not seeking to address the issues raised by the Supreme Court,” Ssemujju said. “They are simply trying to tactically restore military courts while claiming the court allowed them.”
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.”
However, Ssemujju argued that these changes violate a clear Supreme Court directive which ruled that civilians should not be subjected to military courts. “The Supreme Court said it clearly military people cannot try civilians,” he emphasized.
He further questioned the impartiality and independence of military court members, noting that they are appointed by the UPDF High Command and therefore operate under a command structure, not judicial autonomy.
“You can’t have a court appointed by the High Command, with charges referred against you by the same High Command, and then pretend to be a judge,” Ssemujju remarked. “That’s what the Supreme Court attempted to address, and this bill doesn’t.”
The legislator went on to warn that the proposed changes would further compromise the fairness of the justice system by allowing the military to act as judge, jury, and prosecutor in matters involving civilians.
He cited the example of Dr. Joseph Bosa brother to political activist Dr. Kizza Besigye who was swiftly tried in a military court but whose case, when transferred to a civilian court, failed to proceed due to lack of evidence.
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“In military courts, they want to try you in one week and convict you. In a civilian court, they follow procedure and evidence and that’s what they want to avoid,” Ssemujju said.
He added that even if the proposed courts are chaired by lawyers or judges, the problem remains the same: “You are going to remain a soldier, subordinate, listening and implementing the command of the High Command.”
The bill was earlier tabled by Defence and Veteran Affairs Minister, Hon. Oboth Oboth, Among other provisions, the bill 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.
The bill now awaits its second reading and scrutiny by the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs.
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