Uganda’s parliament is debating a new law that would give military courts the authority to try civilians, reigniting concerns about the country’s democratic direction.
The proposed bill follows a recent Supreme Court decision that barred such trials, prompting political backlash and raising alarms among opposition groups and human rights defenders.
The new legislation, titled the “Uganda People’s Defence Forces Bill, 2025,” was introduced in parliament on Tuesday by Defence Minister Jacob Marksons Oboth. The bill was sent to a parliamentary committee for review. If passed, it would overturn the top court’s ruling and permit military courts to handle certain civilian cases, especially those involving weapons or items typically controlled by the army.
This move comes just months after the Supreme Court forced the government to shift the trial of opposition leader and former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye to a civilian court. Besigye, who has run against President Yoweri Museveni in four elections, is facing multiple charges, including treason. His supporters believe the charges are politically motivated and part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
The proposed law outlines specific situations in which civilians could be prosecuted by military tribunals. These include being caught with arms or military equipment without authorization, or being accused of helping soldiers commit serious crimes such as treason, murder, or robbery.
Besigye’s case has drawn international attention, especially after he was forcibly removed from Kenya and brought to Uganda late last year. He was then charged in a military court with illegal possession of firearms. Kenya’s government denied involvement in what it described as his abduction.
Opposition figures and rights activists have long criticized President Museveni’s government for using military courts to suppress political opposition. They argue that the new bill is not about justice, but rather a way to silence critics and increase state control. David Lewis Rubongoya of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s main opposition party, described the bill as a tool for political persecution and warned it could escalate unrest in the country.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi has yet to respond to inquiries about the bill. Meanwhile, NUP leader Bobi Wine, who is expected to run for president again in January, has condemned the move and vowed to continue pushing for democratic reforms.
President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is widely expected to run for another term. His administration has increasingly relied on security forces and legal maneuvers to manage opposition, drawing criticism from civil society and international observers.
The bill’s progress through parliament will be closely watched, as its outcome could significantly impact the future of justice and political freedom in Uganda.