KAMPALA – President Yoweri Museveni has strongly defended the practice of trying civilians in the Court Martial, affirming that it has been pivotal in maintaining peace and stability in Uganda. In a statement, Museveni explained that the law enabling civilian trials in the Court Martial was enacted in 2005 by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to combat the rising menace of armed criminals and terrorists.
“The NRM made the decision because these individuals, although not soldiers, voluntarily took up arms with malicious intent, thereby posing a threat to society,” Museveni said. “Guns should only be in the hands of the Armed Forces, and those who unlawfully wield them must face the consequences in a system that can address these crimes quickly”.
Museveni also highlighted the efficiency of the Court Martial system in swiftly handling these cases. He assured Ugandans that the Court Martial system is subordinate to the country’s general courts, meaning that any injustices or errors could be corrected by the superior courts.
The President also credited the Court Martial for the peace now present in Karamoja and its neighboring areas. He contrasted this with the inefficiency of civilian courts, where criminals are often granted bail or kept on remand indefinitely, leading to a backlog in the system.
Museveni’s defense of the Court Martial system comes amidst criticism from some lawyers and opposition figures, including Dr. Kizza Besigye, who was himself arrested and tried in the Court Martial in 2005.
Besigye, then the leader of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), was arrested and charged with treason, rape, and illegal possession of firearms. His trial in the Court Martial was widely criticized by human rights groups and opposition figures, who argued that it was a politically motivated move to silence him.
However, Museveni defended the decision to try Besigye in the Court Martial, arguing that he had taken up arms against the state and therefore fell under the jurisdiction of the military court.
Museveni even suggested that if a referendum were held in the regions neighboring Karamoja, the people would overwhelmingly support the law and the work of the Court Martial. He reiterated his appreciation for the Court Martial, calling it an essential tool in ensuring peace in Uganda.
In his statement, Museveni also instructed the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) to audit the current prisoners in Kitalya and other prisons to determine which of the detained Karamojong youth can be pardoned and reintegrated into society, while those who remain a threat will continue to face legal action.
