Uganda Defies Supreme Court Ruling on Military Trials for Civilians

The government insists on prosecuting opposition leader Kizza Besigye in a military court despite the recent ruling declaring such trials unconstitutional.

• Uganda's Supreme Court ruled on January 31, 2025, that military courts lack jurisdiction over civilians and ordered all ongoing trials to be transferred to civilian courts.
• President Yoweri Museveni and the Ugandan military have rejected the ruling, stating that military courts are essential for maintaining stability and addressing armed offenses.
• Opposition leader Kizza Besigye, detained since November 2024 and facing treason charges in a military court, remains in detention despite the court's decision.
• Human rights groups and opposition figures have condemned the government's defiance, calling it a violation of the rule of law and a suppression of political opposition.
• The Supreme Court's decision is seen as a potential milestone for fair trial rights, but its enforcement remains uncertain as Uganda prepares for the 2026 presidential election.

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Human Rights Watch