President Museveni Signs Law To Allow Military Trial Of Civilians 

Yoweri Museveni

Source: Africa Publicity

President Yoweri Museveni has signed into law an amendment that allows civilians to stand trials in military courts once again in Uganda.

Per the new law, civilians in Uganda under circumstances will be tried in a military court.

This comes after an earlier law allowing military trials of civilians was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in January this year. Judges had said military courts were neither impartial nor competent to exercise judicial functions.

Prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling, civilians could be sent to a military court if they had been found with military equipment such as guns or army uniforms.

Human rights activists had complained that the laa was being used to persecute critics of President Museveni’s administration.

But in May, lawmakers passed the amendment amid a heavy police presence and a boycott by opposition parliamentarians.

The amendment has somewhat addressed some of the concerns raised by judges and human rights activists.

According to the new law, military officers presiding over cases should have relevant legal qualifications and training.

The law further says while performing their legal functions, they should be independent and impartial.