Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has openly rejected the Supreme Court’s decision to ban the prosecution of civilians in military courts, calling it “wrong” and vowing to continue the practice.
The court’s ruling, issued on Friday, deemed the prosecution of civilians in military courts unconstitutional and ordered all ongoing cases to be transferred to civil courts.
Museveni argued that military courts are essential for maintaining national stability, particularly in regions like Karamoja, which has been plagued by armed violence. He claimed that the military courts have helped discipline the region and cannot be abandoned.
However, human rights activists and opposition politicians have long accused Museveni’s government of using military courts to prosecute opposition leaders and supporters on politically motivated charges.
The use of military courts has been a contentious issue, with many arguing that it undermines judicial independence and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was seen as a victory for opposition leaders, including Kizza Besigye, who has been detained since November and was due to reappear in court on Monday.
However, with Museveni’s vow to continue military trials, the fate of Besigye and other opposition leaders remains uncertain.
