Uganda Today Edition: Museveni Acknowledges Supreme Court Ruling on Military Trials for Civilians With Reservations
President insists Court Martial is vital for national security, calls for constitutional amendments
Museveni Acknowledges Supreme Court Decision
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has, with reservations strongly acknowledged the Supreme Court’s January 31 ruling that declared the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional. He however, described the verdict as a “wrong decision” and argued that military courts play a crucial role in reinforcing the civilian judicial system against armed criminals.
“I was sorry to hear of the wrong decision by the Supreme Court in the matter of firearms-armed civilians being tried by the Military Court Martial,” Museveni stated in in his missive published on his X handle following his return from wealth creation tours in Busoga and Lango.
‘If You Acquire a Gun Illegally, Why Complain?’
Defending the government’s position, Museveni questioned why civilians possessing illegal firearms should resist trial in a military court.
“If you are not a soldier, why do you arm yourself with guns and, moreover, for criminal purposes and illegally, that are a monopoly of the Armed Forces?” he asked. “If you voluntarily acquire these guns, why should you complain when you are tried in a forum that deals with those matters when soldiers are involved?”
Praise for Judges Who Sided with the Government
Museveni acknowledged that some justices had backed the government’s stance, specifically Justices Chibita and Mugyenyi, whom he commended for understanding the “simple logic” behind military courts. He also noted that Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo recognized the possibility of military trials with certain adjustments.
‘Military Courts Have Brought Stability’
The President defended the role of military courts in maintaining national security, citing their success in pacifying Karamoja. He argued that military tribunals provided a swift and effective method for handling armed criminals, unlike civilian courts, which he suggested were hesitant to operate in volatile regions.
“The Military Courts helped us to discipline Karamoja. We cannot and will not abandon this useful instrument for stability. Civilian magistrates were even fearing to go to Karamoja,” Museveni said.
Call for Constitutional Amendments
Expressing his reservations on the Supreme Court’s authority over governance, Museveni stated that Uganda is ruled by its people, not by judges. He directed the Attorney General to propose constitutional amendments that would legally safeguard military trials for civilians caught with illegal firearms.
“The country is not governed by the Judges. It is governed by the People – all of us Ugandans who are old enough to vote in the matter of the Constitution and other legislations, we govern ourselves by having Referenda or Constitutional amendments or amendments of the laws by Parliament.” he declared. “Let, therefore, the Attorney-General propose the amendments to the constitution of the laws to help our Judges in future from interfering with this useful self-protection instrument for the Country and also remove any irrationalities if any”.
A Final Warning: Military Courts Will Not Be Abandoned
Museveni concluded his statement by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to maintaining military courts as a tool for national stability. He argued that just as Western countries have laws allowing same-sex marriage, Uganda has the right to establish legal provisions ensuring that armed civilians face military justice.
“We cannot and will not abandon this useful instrument for stability,” he said, signaling his government’s determination to push for legal reforms that override the Supreme Court’s ruling.
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