Uganda’s Supreme Court has made a landmark ruling, declaring that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional.
The court has ordered an immediate halt to all ongoing prosecutions and transferred existing cases to civilian courts.
This ruling brings relief to opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was facing trial by the general court martial on firearms and security charges, some of which carry the death penalty.
Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, confirmed that his client will no longer appear in court on Monday as previously scheduled.
Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo emphasized that military courts lack the legal competence to handle criminal trials fairly and impartially, as required by the constitution.
Justice Elizabeth Musoke added that military courts are only authorized to handle disciplinary cases involving military personnel.
The ruling is a significant victory for human rights activists and opposition politicians who have accused President Yoweri Museveni’s government of using military courts to prosecute opposition leaders and supporters on politically motivated charges.
