KAMPALA, Uganda — First Son and top military figure Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has praised Ugandan lawmakers for passing a controversial amendment to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act that restores the military’s power to try civilians under specific circumstances—despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that deemed the practice unconstitutional.
“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,” Muhoozi posted on X. “Today, you proved you are fearless patriots! Uganda will remember your courage and commitment.”
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
The Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed on Thursday, broadens the military court’s jurisdiction to include civilians in “exceptional circumstances,” such as possession of weapons or equipment designated exclusively for armed forces.
It also creates a new Military Courts Department and restructures existing court martial systems.
Supporters, including Muhoozi—long seen as a potential successor to President Yoweri Museveni—framed the legislation as a patriotic defense reform.
But critics say the bill opens the door to political persecution.
“This law will be used to persecute regime opponents and deal with the growing resistance against the regime,” said David Lewis Rubongoya, Secretary-General of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). “It is a dangerous rollback of the constitutional protections Ugandans fought for.”
The UPDF Amendment Bill in relation to military courts is nothing short of old wine in new bottles! In fact, it creates worse circumstances for those who will be unfortunate to end up before them. Sadly, that can be any of us! Any MP who will support these amendments is an
The bill’s passage comes just months after Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that military trials for civilians violated the country’s Constitution, citing the civilian judiciary’s independence.
The ruling had forced the transfer of several high-profile cases—including that of opposition leader Kizza Besigye—to civilian courts.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and fierce Museveni critic, had been charged with illegal possession of firearms in a military tribunal after reportedly being abducted from Kenya and flown to Uganda in late 2024.
His case now continues in a civilian court, where he faces additional charges including treason—charges his allies say are politically motivated.
Human rights groups and legal experts have expressed concern that the UPDF amendment represents a reassertion of military influence over civilian life, especially ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general election, where Museveni is expected to seek a seventh term.
NUP leader Bobi Wine, who challenged Museveni in the 2021 election, declared last week that he will run again.
The timing of the bill has raised suspicions that the government is preparing legal tools to suppress opposition as the election season approaches.
The new law also expands the military’s reach by allowing prosecution of civilians accused of aiding or abetting crimes committed by soldiers, including treason, terrorism, and murder.
While government officials argue the bill enhances national security and military discipline, legal scholars warn it erodes judicial independence and blurs the line between military and civilian authority.
