Uganda’s main opposition party has petitioned the constitutional court to overturn a new law allowing military tribunals to prosecute civilians, a move the Supreme Court had outlawed earlier this year.
The Supreme Court ruled in January that military courts lack the legal authority to conduct fair and impartial criminal trials for civilians. Rights groups have long accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of using such tribunals to target political opponents during his nearly 40 years in power—an allegation his aides deny, insisting they only try civilians accused of using firearms for political violence.
George Musisi, lawyer for the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), said the party’s petition seeks to nullify the legislation passed by parliament in May and signed by Museveni in June. NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya told reporters the law was enacted without adequate public consultation, violating legislative procedures.
Many NUP members, including party leader and presidential hopeful Bobi Wine, have previously faced military court charges. The new law has been praised by senior officials, with then-army spokesperson Chris Magezi calling it a deterrent to “militant political groups,” and Museveni’s son, military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, congratulating lawmakers for its passage.
The January Supreme Court ruling had already forced authorities to transfer the case of prominent opposition figure Kizza Besigye—charged with offences including treason—from a military to a civilian court. Besigye remains in detention nine months after his arrest and has been repeatedly denied bail.