President Yoweri Museveni has praised MPs for passing the controversial Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, saying it will curb the misuse of military equipment and address armed criminality more effectively.
Speaking to leaders from the Greater Luwero districts on Wednesday at Timnah Schools in Luwero Town, Museveni commended members of parliament, particularly those from his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for their full support of the bill.
The NRM once again leveraged its numerical strength to push the legislation through on Tuesday, despite strong objections from opposition MPs. The new law expands the jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians accused of offences such as treason, aggravated robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms, a move that has sparked alarm among human rights groups and opposition lawmakers.
Museveni argued that civilian courts are ill-equipped to handle cases involving armed personnel or crimes related to military equipment.
Museveni said civilian courts that in the past failed to try simple cases like pig theft can’t be trusted with matters involving soldiers or army stores. He said once a civilian misuses guns or military uniforms, they ought to face the military courts.
The president insisted that military issues should remain within the domain of military courts, adding that the new law will strengthen discipline both within and outside the army ranks.
Museveni is currently on a tour of Greater Luwero, evaluating the implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM). He is expected to conclude the tour with a public address in Nakasongola on Thursday.
The president’s son and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, also voiced his support for the bill on X (formerly Twitter).
“I want to congratulate the speaker of parliament, the Attorney General, the minister of Defence, the chief whip of NRM, and all NRM MPs for passing the amended UPDF bill. Today, you proved you are fearless patriots! Uganda will remember your courage and commitment. God bless you all,” Muhoozi posted.
However, opposition MPs have vowed to challenge the bill in court, arguing that it violates Article 92 of the 1995 Constitution, which prohibits parliament from enacting laws intended to overturn court decisions.
They contend that the bill contradicts a recent Supreme court ruling, which questioned the legality of trying civilians in military courts and emphasised the limited jurisdiction of such courts over non-military personnel.
Legal experts, civil society actors, and the Uganda Law Society have also raised concerns over lack of due consultation, potential abuse of military courts, and the erosion of fair trial rights, especially for civilians and soldiers who may now face restricted avenues for appeal.
Museveni!!! In this praise of ‘parliament’, I wonder if we still have one; Museveni has indicated his desire to be ‘totally in charge’. His control is reduced once cases are in the civil courts, even with the cadre judges, which he doesn’t like. He hates independent people and institutions. With this law, the army will be arresting, investigating, detaining, providing ‘evidence’, torturing, extracting confessions, prosecuting, sentencing, incarcerating, and I don’t know what else! In the civil courts, the courts don’t arrest, investigate or prosecute; they act as interpreters of the law and arbiters. Now, in this army ‘court’, an institution that takes orders, what happens, does anyone even have the right of appeal, and to which court? Anyway, Museveni gets what he wants. He has always chided courts for giving bail, and now in his court, be prepared to stay there forever or be consigned to the other world if the ‘court’ is ordered or feels you don’t deserve to live!
Voters and supporters of NRM please deliver us from this hell and I hope this Bill will soon catch up on you and your loved ones. For once can you set aside your greed and brainwashed distorted heads and put the country first before everything. Before long you will be crying because this Bill will not save you just because you are NRM. Your numbers in Parliament does not care about you as long as they cash in. They are useless just get rid of them before they sell you too.
EGYPT
A military government is currently established in Egypt. Since 2013, around 10,000 individuals have been tried in military courts, many of whom have been sentenced to death. Some of these military court death row convicts have been executed.
It should be noted that under Article 204 of the Egyptian Constitution, a civilian can be tried in a military court if they have attacked a military official or a building. However, SEVERAL HUNDRED CIVILIANS including university professors and students HAVE BEEN TRIED IN MILITARY COURTS FOR CRITICIZING THE MILITARY REGIME’S UNDEMOCRATIC POLICIES.
LEBANON
Civilians accused of maligning Lebanon’s reputation in the international community have been tried in the country’s military courts in the past few years. <<= YOU KNOW WHO MIGHT BE A TARGET HERE.
So, the second phase has now started. It's now legal to do all these abductions, tortures, enjoy unaccountable funds, promote all these guys in order to create a system and all the other attachments that come with it. In fact, can a military system be subject to a civilian system and civilian laws?
Anyway, until it comes back to crush the very ones praising it, before it cam be nullified, this new kinda martial law should be every true Ugandan's concern.
The other question is: How long will it take Uganda to return to sanity?
These are political parties in this country that must not say the people did not tell them that the NRM political party is determined to stay put in Uganda state power with the assistance of the so called Uganda People ‘s Defence forces until Jesus comes back to earth! These so called multi political party politicians are only duping the Uganda electorate to continue to participate in violent and rigged national elections that are 100 percent organised to entrench this long serving government into state power for many years and counting. If this African gentleman does not win Presidential elections it should be the son to do it by all means! In most countries that practice democracy, the sitting government has all the responsibility to see to it that national elections are peaceful, free and fair for all the legitimate citizens to participate in such a process. The Kingdom state of Buganda is not going to continue to participate in such deceitful national elections as it already has its own political self determination to keep its Ancient sovereignty.
Personally , I don`t understand what all this hullabaloo and excitement is all about. If you agree or think that Mr.Museveni is military dictator ( and a refined one at it) it should follow that you know he is going to get what he wants by whichever means.
Mr. Museveni is not about to become the first military dictator whose wishes are blocked by his captives , let alone his foes.
It is therefore inconsequential whether or not one voted for or against his wishes .
Once this regime us done with all the NRM players, MPs passing these Bills, regime killers should be tried in courts of law, in fact should be taken to the Hague because they are responsible for what is happening in this country and have been assisting to maintain the DICTATOR to stay and usurp power
Something else that bothers me is why some seasoned proffesional thinkers cannot get past simple snags . You hear some of them blaming the ones that chose to walk out before the motion would be voted and passed as law.
You would think that our elites know the difference between outrightly boycotting a procces and walking out during the proccess.
This is the basis of the argument : to walk out is a legitimate form of protest , has been and is part of parliamentary norms and practices since parliamentary democracy was invented.
My view is that what some members of the opposition did was not totally tactless as some people are now saying. They showed up , fully participated in the proccess , offered views , put their posion on record , and then walked away from the results of the proccess , as an expression of dissent , thereby symbolically distancing themselves from the decision that was about to emerge .
It should be known that if you vote for or against a motion , you , in effect, become a contributory to the outcome.
I think that those who walked out may bring this up , if ever the chose to challenge the outcome at another level
PS. Hon. Mohamad Nsereko was one of the loudest MPs who walked out during the Togikwatako circus. This time , he is mocking those who walked out and lecturing about that the role of an MP is to stay and put up with whatever nonsense is going on therein.
Apollo Ekelot, agreed.
Only Ugandans, in UNITY, will have the POWER needed to stop Rwandese Museveni, then form the kind of governance they want!
Why will Ugandans go for next useless fake presidential, parliamentary elections to ensure he’s maintained in posts & protected legally, constitutionally?
[For once can you set aside your greed and brainwashed distorted heads and put the country first before everything. Before long you will be crying because this Bill will not save you just because you are NRM. Your numbers in Parliament does not care about you as long as they cash in. They are useless just get rid of them before they sell you too.]
Marc Maesays, thanks.
But onnly Ugandans, in UNITY, will have the POWER to stop this inhumanity imposed on them legally, constitutionally!
Fake elections only ensure this inhumanity while Rwandese Museveni enjoys it!
[How long will it take Uganda to return to sanity?]
Concerned J, thanks!
Uganda doesn’t have National Leadership to help UNITE the people for Common Goal, but all is in place to ensure Uganda remains Rwandese Museveni’s family business through fake elections!
If there was opposition to Museveni, the tribalistic system would not be in place any more!
kabayekka, understood, so,
Why is the Kingdom state of Buganda still part of Rwandese Museveni’s Uganda when it can break away & form a REAL Nation?
[If you agree or think that Mr.Museveni is military dictator ( and a refined one at it) it should follow that you know he is going to get what he wants by whichever means.
Mr. Museveni is not about to become the first military dictator whose wishes are blocked by his captives , let alone his foes.
It is therefore inconsequential whether or not one voted for or against his wishes.]
Jessays, thanks.
There is no reason POWERLESS tribally divided ruled Ugadans go for next useless elections as Rwandese Museveni will rule with or without, unless they want to continue protecting him officially, legally, constitutionally!