Uganda President signs Law permitting civilians’ trial in Military Courts

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has officially signed into law a controversial bill that grants military courts the authority to try civilians under certain conditions, a move widely criticised by opposition figures and human rights advocates ahead of next year’s general elections.

This new legislation comes in spite of a ruling by Uganda’s Supreme Court earlier this year, which declared the military trial of civilians unconstitutional.

That ruling was delivered following the case of veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was abducted by armed men in Nairobi last November and arraigned before a Ugandan military court on treason charges, an offence punishable by death.

Although his case was eventually transferred to a civilian court following the Supreme Court judgment, the freshly signed law now permits the military to prosecute civilians in what it terms “exceptional circumstances.”

These include cases involving unlawful possession of arms, ammunition, or military equipment, charges that Besigye is currently facing.

Uganda’s parliament confirmed the signing of the bill through its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

Reacting to the development, Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, condemned the law, describing it as a calculated attempt to “facilitate the illegal detention and trial of Besigye and others.”

He noted that Besigye has been held in custody for over six months without trial, exceeding the legal limit.

Another prominent opposition figure, Bobi Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, also raised concerns. Speaking to AFP, he said, “All of us in the opposition are being targeted by the Act.”

Human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza, who was previously detained for six months by a military tribunal while defending Besigye, vowed to challenge the law in court.

Rights groups have linked Besigye’s abduction, detention, and trial to the political tensions surrounding the upcoming 2026 elections, where the 80-year-old Museveni is seeking to extend his already 40-year-long presidency.