President Museveni has thrown his weight behind the controversial debate regarding the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial.
The debate on trial of civilians in the army court has been reignited by the arraignment of four time presidential candidates, Dr.Kizza Besigye and his close ally, Obeid Lutale who are accused of unlawful possession of ammunition.
The duo was arrested from Kenya.
In a statement on Thursday morning, President Museveni described the army court as ‘Eyokyeero’ to mean reinforcement.
“I want to affirm that, that move was correct and useful and it has contributed to the stabilization of Uganda,” Museveni said.
He explained that before the UPDF Act of 2005 was enacted this law through Parliament, there was rampant activities of criminals and terrorists that were using guns to kill people indiscriminately.
“The civilian courts were clogged with the many court cases of the whole country: murders, rape, assaults, robbery, land matters, divorce matters etc., etc. They could, therefore, not handle these gun─wielding criminals quickly. Yet, for stabilization you need speed.”
“ Moreover, these individuals, although not soldiers, voluntarily and with evil intentions acquired killing instruments that should be the monopoly of the armed forces, governed by the relevant laws. Indeed, Uganda and many parts of Africa were and, in some cases are still, disturbed by these unprincipled actors. This is why that law provided that since you became a “soldier, ” albeit an illegal one, be tried by a court-martial because it is the one that deals with guns.”
Museveni however said the court martial’s system is subordinate to the civilian courts.
“ If the Court Martial judged badly, the superior courts will rectify the issue. The advantage is that, in the meantime, these dangerous actors are legally being fed, medically treated by the State and are kept away from harming people.”
“It is also good for the lawbreakers because that dangerous enterprise of theirs of killing people, can lead to their own deaths in the encounters with peace and law─protection agencies. Long live the eyokyeero of the Court Martial courts. You have made your own contribution to our peace.”
Museveni’s take on the army court comes just a day after the Supreme Court ruled that soldiers cant appeal cases in civilian courts.
