President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has defended trial of civilians in the Court Martial arguing that it has helped to maintain peace and stability in Uganda.
In a statement released on his X handle Museveni cited the law that enabled the trial of civilians in the Court Martial that was enacted in 2005 by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to combat the rising menace of armed criminals and terrorists who were indiscriminately using guns to kill civilians.
Museveni noted that civilian courts, which were already overloaded with various cases, could not swiftly handle the criminal activities of those using firearms to destabilize the country. The President explained that in such a situation, speed was essential for stabilization.
“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.”
The President also highlighted the efficiency of the Court Martial system in swiftly handling these cases. Museveni explained 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. However, in the meantime, individuals charged with such offenses are detained, fed, and given medical treatment by the State, all while being kept away from causing harm to the public.
“These individuals, while incarcerated, are prevented from carrying out further attacks on innocent civilians, which could otherwise end in their own deaths during clashes with law enforcement,” he stated .
However the , President of the Uganda Law society (ULS), Isaac Ssemakadde ,in his rebuttal to Museveni’s missive said that the Head of state’s defence of the repugnant practice of trying civilians in military tribunals was a blatant assault on the rule of law . ” It also jeopardies the achievements of the objectives of the Jumuiya treaty , whose 25th anniversary you celebrated last month in Arusha,” Ssemakadde added.
” With great respect, your position disregards at least twp judgements of the Ugandan Constitutional Court and an excruciating delayed constitutional appeal in the Supreme Court . Articles 99 and 128 of the 1995 Constitution require you to use the presidential pulpit to promote respect for court orders and processes , especially those that conflict with NRM policy, ideology m, or laws,” he argued .
