By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Attorney General has given guidance on the fate of Civilians who were undergoing trial at the Military Court Martial before the Supreme Court ruling last week, 31st January, 2025.
Addressing the matter on the Floor of Parliament today, Tuesday, 4th February, 2025, Kiryowa Kiwanuka says his office gave advice to the Chief Justice dated 3rd February, 2025.
The guidance directs that All pending criminal trials in the Court Martial should cease forthwith.
Secondly, that the General Court Martial should in liaison with the Prisons Authorities provide a list of all criminal cases involving civilians pending in the General Court Martial for onward transmission to the Courts to determine that appropriate court to handle the matter.
Thirdly, General Court Martial should provide a list of all pending criminal cases involving members of UPDF pending before the Court Martial that fall within the category of transfer for onward transmission to the Courts to determine that appropriate court to handle the matter.
Attorney General also guides the DPP to liaise with Court Martial and UPDF to take over conduct of ongoing criminal trials of cases that will have been identified for transfer to the Courts.
The Uganda Prisons authorities are advised to await the process above and orders from competent courts regarding any matters concerning detention of accused persons hitherto facing trial in the General Court Martial.
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has been guided to immediately commence considerations of the recommendations of the Supreme Court with a view to introduce appropriate amendments to the UPDF Act.
He says that he has written to the Chief Justice informing him that they have commenced implementing the Supreme Court orders regarding the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial and have requested him to identify the person who will liaise with the DPP for purposes of effecting the Supreme Court’s orders.
