Kampala, Uganda – Uganda’s Parliament has passed a highly controversial bill that grants military courts authority to try civilians under certain conditions, a move that has sparked fierce backlash from opposition parties, human rights groups, and legal experts, who view it as a serious threat to judicial independence and civil liberties ahead of the country’s 2026 general elections.
The legislation, backed by President Yoweri Museveni’s government, was passed on Tuesday amid protests and a partial walkout by opposition lawmakers who accused the ruling party of undermining the constitution and consolidating authoritarian rule.
New Law Overrides Supreme Court Ruling
The bill, officially titled the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, comes months after the Supreme Court ruled that civilians should not be subjected to court-martial proceedings, citing the military’s lack of judicial training and expertise in handling civilian cases. The landmark ruling effectively invalidated previous practices where civilians, particularly political opponents and activists, were prosecuted in military tribunals.
But in a swift response to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Museveni administration drafted legislation to re-establish military jurisdiction over civilians, arguing it is essential for national security.
According to the new law, civilians can be prosecuted by military courts if they are alleged to have committed offenses “in support of or in association with persons subject to military law.” To address past criticisms of military court competence, the bill includes a provision requiring that presiding officers in such courts be legally trained.
Opposition and Civil Society Outcry
Despite government assurances, critics argue the bill is a direct affront to the country’s democratic framework. During Tuesday’s heated parliamentary session, members of opposition parties, including the National Unity Platform (NUP), staged a walkout in protest, calling the bill “unconstitutional” and “politically motivated.”
“This is a dark day for justice in Uganda,” said Joel Ssenyonyi, an opposition MP and spokesperson for the NUP. “This law reverses years of judicial progress and sends a message that the regime will stop at nothing to suppress dissent as we approach the 2026 elections.”
The Uganda-based rights group Chapter Four issued a strongly worded statement condemning the legislation.
“This law seeks to unconstitutionally grant judicial powers reserved for superior civilian courts to subordinate military tribunals that were never designed to try civilians,” the organization said. “It violates both the letter and spirit of the Constitution.”
International rights watchdog Amnesty International also warned that the new law could embolden repression ahead of the upcoming polls.
“Militarizing the justice system by extending the reach of military courts to civilians risks entrenching authoritarian rule,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty. “This is especially troubling as Uganda moves toward critical elections in 2026.”
Museveni’s Defiant Stance and 2026 Ambitions
President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since seizing power in 1986, is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. The 80-year-old leader remains defiant in the face of criticism and has dismissed the Supreme Court’s ruling as judicial overreach.
“This country is not governed by the judges,” Museveni said shortly after the court’s decision. “We shall not allow criminals and enemies of the state to hide behind technicalities to escape justice.”
Following the court’s ruling, Museveni and his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba — commander of the armed forces — both expressed dissatisfaction and immediately backed government efforts to reintroduce legislation that would restore the court-martial system’s powers.
The elder Museveni is widely expected to seek re-election in January 2026, although questions loom over the future of the presidency. Many observers believe he may be laying the groundwork for a dynastic transition of power to his son.
General Kainerugaba has previously hinted at political ambitions and has publicly declared his intention to one day lead Uganda. Critics warn that the military’s increasing involvement in civilian affairs, including through judicial processes, could be a harbinger of political succession without electoral legitimacy.
Democratic Institutions Under Pressure
Uganda’s judiciary and parliament have long been under scrutiny for what analysts describe as erosion of independence and creeping executive control. The latest legislation, opponents say, could further weaken constitutional checks and balances.
“This is not just about military courts,” said Sarah Bireete, a legal scholar and director of the Center for Constitutional Governance. “It’s about a much broader issue: the shrinking space for democracy and the rule of law in Uganda.”
Civil society organizations warn that activists, journalists, and government critics are likely to face increased prosecution in military courts under the guise of national security.
Human Rights Watch, in its annual report, previously highlighted how court-martials were being misused to target political opponents, citing several cases where opposition supporters were arrested and tried by military courts for allegedly possessing “military attire” or “subversive materials.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
As Uganda heads toward a potentially turbulent election cycle, political analysts fear the passage of this bill could mark the start of a broader crackdown on dissent. With no clear successor within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), speculation continues to grow about how long Museveni will remain in power — and whether a transition to his son would occur by election or by decree.
“The stakes are extremely high,” said regional analyst George Mukasa. “What we’re witnessing is the consolidation of military influence in all branches of governance, including the judiciary. That does not bode well for free and fair elections in 2026.”
In the coming days, civil society groups are expected to file legal challenges against the bill, hoping to overturn it at the Constitutional Court. However, with the judiciary increasingly viewed as compromised, hopes for a successful challenge remain uncertain.
For now, Ugandans are left bracing for a political landscape where military courts may once again become tools of political repression — just as the country prepares for one of its most consequential elections in decades.
