By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
A visibly angry President Museveni has spoken out on Friday, 31st January, 2025 Supreme Court’s ruling on the constitutionality of Court Martials trying civilians.
In an open letter to Ugandans, President Museveni says he, ‘he was sorry to hear the wrong decision by the Supreme Court in the matter of the fire-arms armed civilians being tried in the Military Court Martial.”
President Museveni argues that if you are not a soldier why should you arm yourself with guns and moreover for criminal purposes.
Museveni however, thanks Justices Chibita and Mugyenyi whom he says supported the trial of guns-armed civilians in Military Court Martial, the two were of course a minority.
He also appreciates the proposals laid by the Justices including the rationalization of trying civilians in Military Courts and the Chief Justice’s ruling that it is possible to try gun armed civilians in military court Martials if some legal adjustments are done.
Consequently, President Museveni has directed the Attorney General to propose Constitutional amendments or amendments of the law by Parliament.
President Museveni insists that even with the amendments made, gun-armed civil servants should initially be tried by the Military Court Martials and may proceed to Civil Courts on appeals.
The amendments according to President Museveni ‘should help our Judges in future from interfering with this useful self-protection instrument for the country and also remove any irrationalities, if any.”
