The National Unity Platform (NUP) has moved to block a recently passed law that permits civilians to be tried in military courts, filing a petition at the Constitutional Court in Kampala on Wednesday.
Led by their secretary general, Lewis and and Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, a team of NUP leaders, lawyers and victims of this court argued that the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Act, 2025, is riddled with constitutional and procedural flaws.
“We filed Constitutional Petition No. 16 of 2025, National Unity Platform NUP versus the Attorney General & Others. We are challenging the provisions of the UPDF Amendment Act, which returned civilians to military courts. Hopefully, the Constitutional Court will hear this petition expeditiously and put an end to these illegalities,” Lewis Rubongoya said.
Passed by Parliament on May 20 and assented to by the President, the Act was framed as a reform package to streamline military administration and improve soldiers’ welfare.
But its provision enabling military trials for civilians under “exceptional circumstances” such as unlawful possession of military weapons, collaborating with soldiers to commit crimes, or impersonating army personnel has drawn fierce criticism.
Opponents say it openly defies a landmark Supreme Court ruling from January 2024, which declared such trials unconstitutional.
Ssenyonyi insisted the court’s position was “unequivocal” that civilians must be tried in civilian courts.
The petition accuses Parliament of breaching Article 92 of the Constitution, which forbids altering court decisions through legislation.
It also claims lawmakers failed to consult key stakeholders and passed the Bill without a proper quorum a point of protest that triggered an opposition walkout during the vote.
NUP is asking the Constitutional Court to nullify the disputed provisions, arguing that upholding the Supreme Court precedent is vital to protect the separation of powers and the right to a fair trial in a civilian court.
