Recently, the top justice body, the Supreme Court passed a ruling that civilians should not be tried in the General Court Martial (Military court), something citizens were very relieved to hear about.
With this ruling, there was a new hope for the justice system as many stated that this proved the prevalence of Rule of law and the independence of the Judicial body.
However, this Supreme Court ruling seems to have been trashed by a few people as well. For one, the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni did not agree with it, stating that there is no way the General Court Martial was going to be rendered powerless. He stated that if the people being tried there really be civilians, why would they be carrying illegal weaponry and staging armed rebellions?
The Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has also come out and criticized this Supreme court ruling, arguing that the decision undermines the vision and mandate of the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) as a body.
The General expressed his utter shock over the ruling, all while stating that the UPDF serves as a foundation for the country’s democracy and socio-economic transformation, something that should not be taken lightly. He emphasized that the historical mission of the UPDF could never have been achieved without a highly disciplined and effective military force and this was made possible through the General Court Martial.
General Muhoozi further stated that the issue of the Supreme Court ruling would be brought before the High Command which is chaired by his father President Museveni, for further consideration because the Military Court could not just be rendered powerless just like that.
General Muhoozi further went on and described the Supreme court’s decision as unacceptable. He went on and warned that it could potentially lead to a national security crisis because such a ruling disrupts the command, control, and administration of the Uganda defense forces.
"It is simply unacceptable. We shall not have any of this. As the UPDF, we need to discuss this with the High Command and that is the only way we shall get a way forward." He stated
All this was said during the Tarehe Sita celebrations which were presided over by President Museveni and was held under the theme, “Celebrating Pan-African Solidarity and People’s Sacrifice in the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy for Socio-Economic Transformation.”
Citizens have also been bothered by this message, stating that the Judiciary should be an independent body and the military has no right to meddle in the affairs of the judicial body.
