Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has dismissed President Yoweri Museveni’s justification for using military courts to try civilians, labeling them as instruments of repression rather than justice. Kyagulanyi argues that these courts serve as tools for the regime to suppress dissent and persecute political opponents.
In his remarks on Saturday, Kyagulanyi criticized the General Court Martial, citing examples of Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, and his own prosecution after his 2018 arrest in Arua. He contended that such cases illustrate how military courts are weaponized to stifle political opposition.
“Today, Dr. Kizza Besigye is in detention on orders of the military court following his abduction in Kenya. I was similarly arraigned before the military court after my arrest in Arua. The objective was to detain me at Makindye military barracks, cutting off access to me by the public. Since then, thousands of our supporters have been abducted, tortured, and detained by these military courts, often for trivial reasons like wearing our party’s red berets or overalls,” Kyagulanyi stated.
His comments come in response to President Museveni’s recent defense of military trials for civilians. Museveni argued that such tribunals have expedited the judicial process and contributed to national stability and he claimed civilian courts are overwhelmed with cases and unable to swiftly handle crimes involving armed individuals.
“Civilian courts were clogged with cases involving murder, rape, robbery, land disputes, and other matters. These gun-wielding criminals, though not soldiers, acquired weapons that are meant to be the monopoly of the Armed Forces. Quick action is needed for stabilization,” Museveni asserted.
Kyagulanyi dismissed this reasoning, saying military tribunals lack the capacity for fair trials and serve only to silence opposition.
“This is not about law and order or justice. It is about silencing opposition and extending Museveni’s failed regime of repression and injustice. These tribunals, chaired by military officers unfamiliar with the law, undermine Uganda’s Constitution and common sense,” he said.
He condemned the trial of civilians in military courts as unconstitutional and called for their cases to be transferred to civilian courts to ensure fair trials. He also demanded the unconditional release of all political prisoners.
“True stability is achieved through upholding the rule of law, respecting human rights, and committing to justice for all—not by oppression and injustice masquerading as stability,” Kyagulanyi added.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has also criticized the practice, calling it a grave attack on the rule of law and an obstacle to Uganda’s progress.
In a statement, ULS warned that treating court processes with contempt undermines the country’s justice system and the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) promises of peace and security.
“Using the presidential pulpit to treat court orders and processes with contempt will only exacerbate our current rule of law crisis rendering the NRM’s aspirations of Justice, peace and security mere chimeras,” the statement said.
“Your justification citing “Clogged courts” and the need for “Speed” are transparent excuses to circumvent due process and undermines the integrity of Uganda’s judiciary. Recourse to a referendum is no defense for an unconstitutional act as per article 92 of the constitution,” they added.
Kyagulanyi’s remarks reflect growing discontent among opposition figures and rights groups about what they see as the militarization of Uganda’s justice system to maintain political control.
