Activist petitions Speaker Among, demands referendum on UPDF Amendment Bill
Human Rights Activist Onesmus Muwanga at Parliament after delivering his petition on May 19, 20. Photo/Busein Samilu
What you need to know:
- A key provision is the insertion of Clause 117A into the UPDF Act, 2005, which subjects civilians to military law under exceptional circumstances. These include possession of certain military equipment or ammunition, as outlined in Schedules 7A and 7B of the Act, even when found outside the country.
A human rights activist has petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Ms Anita Among, urging her to halt further debate on the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, and instead allow Ugandans to vote on one of its most contentious clauses through a referendum.
Mr Onesmus Muwanga, who personally delivered his petition to Parliament on May 19, reminded the Speaker that laws passed by the House should reflect public consensus. He expressed concern over the clause proposing the return of civilian trials in military courts, which has already triggered significant public debate.
“I hereby petition your office to cause a referendum to be held on the matter of the trial of civilians in army courts, and to halt any processes and actions towards passing of the UPDF Amendment Bill until a referendum is held where all Ugandans of voting age are involved in determining whether we as civilians should be prosecuted by army courts,” the petition reads in part.
Muwanga argued that such a consequential issue should not be left to Parliament alone because it directly impacts civilian freedoms and future rights.
“It is truly unfair to leave the matter of such weight to be decided upon by only Members of Parliament. Since civilians are involved in this contentious matter, it would be best to let them decide for themselves,” he added.
Parliament is scheduled to convene tomorrow for the second and third reading of the UPDF Amendment Bill, 2025. Over 500 legislators are expected to attend.
The Bill, tabled by Defence Minister Mr Jacob Oboth Oboth last week, proposes reactivating the trial of civilians in military courts, addressing veteran affairs, and establishing new structures within the Defence Forces—including the Special Forces Command and the Reserve Force. It also introduces the Joint Military Command and the Service Command and Staff Committee.
A key provision is the insertion of Clause 117A into the UPDF Act, 2005, which subjects civilians to military law under exceptional circumstances. These include possession of certain military equipment or ammunition, as outlined in Schedules 7A and 7B of the Act, even when found outside the country.
The Bill further targets civilians found wearing military uniforms without authorization, or those aiding, abetting, or conspiring with others to commit grave offenses such as murder, aggravated robbery, treason, and cattle rustling using military equipment.
Civilians accompanying military units on missions and committing offenses may also face trial under military law, as if they held the rank of Private.
To facilitate this legal shift, the Bill proposes replacing the term "military court" with more specific designations: Unit Court Martial (UCM), Division Court Martial (DCM), and the General Court Martial (GCM).
Raising concerns about recent allegations of MPs receiving questionable gifts, Muwanga questioned their impartiality in deciding such a sensitive matter.
“A number of Ugandans have been taken to army courts on trumped-up charges. I appeal to you to give civilians the chance to decide for themselves through a referendum,” he wrote. “You would not want history to remember you as the one who supported an unjust law that could one day be used against the current government’s own members.”
Meanwhile, opposition legislators, led by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, have pledged to oppose the Bill in its entirety during tomorrow’s sitting.
At the time of publication, ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs were locked in a closed-door caucus meeting with President Museveni at State House to finalize their position on the Bill.
