EDITOR

The Ugandan Parliament has today passed the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following a heated and divisive debate that highlighted sharp disagreements over the military’s authority to try civilians and the powers of the General Court Martial.

The comprehensive 143-page bill, presented by Defense Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth, brings significant changes to the existing UPDF Act. It introduces 84 new clauses, covering internal reforms in the defense forces and the highly controversial jurisdiction of military courts over civilians.

A strong objection came from Hon. Moses Okot Junior, who presented a minority report opposing the Bill. He argued that the legislation contradicts the 2021 Supreme Court ruling in the case of Attorney General versus Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka, which found the trial of civilians by military courts unconstitutional, except in limited circumstances.

Opposition MPs echoed these concerns, with Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko moving to delete Clause 30. This clause introduces Section 117A, which would allow military courts to try civilians in cases involving possession of military equipment, aiding soldiers in committing crimes, or working with the military as contractors. Nsereko’s proposal was defeated during the vote.

He also opposed Clause 38, which equates the powers of the General Court Martial with those of the High Court—an action he warned undermines Uganda’s judicial hierarchy. That motion also failed to pass.

Defending the Bill, Minister Peter Ogwang shared emotional memories of his childhood during the insecurity in Karamoja, arguing that military discipline is vital to national security. MP Fadhil Chemaswet supported the continued role of military courts in enforcing discipline within the armed forces.

Elsewhere, MP Jonathan Odur proposed renaming the “Special Forces Command” to simply “Special Forces,” to align with naming conventions used for other branches like the Land and Air Forces. He also called for the removal of historical references from 1986, which he said are no longer relevant. Both of his proposals were rejected.

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