Uganda passes law allowing civilian trials in military courts

Uganda's Speaker Anita Among presides plenary on May 20, 2025 as Parliament passed the controversial UPDF (Amendment) Bill, 2025. 

Photo credit: Ibrahim Kavuma | Nation Media Group

Uganda’s parliament on Tuesday passed an amended law that permits military tribunals to try civilians, prompting protests from the opposition who said the move violated a Supreme Court ruling in January that banned such trials.

The practice, in use for the last two decades, has long been criticised by opposition politicians and rights campaigners who accuse the government of using courts martial to silence opponents, which it denies.