By Dean Lubowa Saava
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua tabled a motion in Parliament on Thursday to withdraw the UPDF Amendment Bill, marking a significant development in the legislative process.
This move follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that barred military courts from trying civilians, prompting the NRM Parliamentary Caucus to resolve to withdraw the bill for further review
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua’s decision to withdraw the UPDF Amendment Bill is aimed at aligning with a recent Supreme Court ruling.
This ruling prohibits the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial and outlines several recommendations for the Executive to implement. By withdrawing the bill, Obua is ensuring that the government complies with the Supreme Court’s decision and adheres to the principles of justice and fairness.
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua has revealed that the withdrawal of the UPDF Amendment Bill is aimed at enriching it to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court of Uganda’s ruling.
This move is meant to accommodate and comply with the recent Supreme Court ruling on the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial, as well as address several recommendations made by the court.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party parliamentary caucus had resolved to withdraw the current UPDF amendment bill before Parliament, with the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, tasked with drafting a new amendment to deal with the court recommendations.
Obua emphasized that the withdrawal is not a rejection of the bill, but rather an opportunity to refine it and ensure that it aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling. The new amendment will be designed to address the concerns raised by the court and provide a more comprehensive framework for the UPDF.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party parliamentary caucus resolved to withdraw the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2024, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial unconstitutional.
The caucus, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, agreed to withdraw the bill to incorporate new proposals that address the court’s decision while ensuring the operational efficiency of the UPDF.
The Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, has been tasked with drafting new proposals for the UPDF Amendment Bill, which will be presented in an Extraordinary Caucus meeting before being reintroduced in Parliament.
The proposed amendments aim to align the UPDF Act with the Supreme Court’s ruling, which also directed that military personnel facing capital offenses be tried in civilian courts instead of the Court Martial. Some of the proposed amendments include:
Formalizing the Special Forces Command (SFC): The elite force responsible for protecting the President will be formalized as one of the official UPDF services under Section 3 of the Act.
Creating Service Court Martials: Each branch of the UPDF will have its own Service Court Martial, with members appointed by the Commander-in-Chief instead of the High Command.
Re-engaging Ex-Servicemen: The Commander-in-Chief will be granted powers to re-engage retired officers or militants with special skills under contract
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus, chaired by President Yoweri Museveni, has resolved to withdraw the UPDF Amendment Bill currently before Parliament. This decision was made during a meeting held on February 7, 2025, at State House Entebbe, in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling.
According to Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, the caucus agreed to withdraw the bill to allow the Attorney General to draft new proposals that align with the Supreme Court’s decision. The move is seen as a cautious approach to ensure that the UPDF Act complies with the court’s ruling.
The withdrawn bill, officially known as the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2024, will be replaced with a revised version that addresses the concerns raised by the Supreme Court. The new proposals will be discussed in an Extraordinary Caucus meeting before being reintroduced in Parliament.
The Attorney General has been tasked with drafting a new amendment to the UPDF Act, addressing the Supreme Court’s recommendations. This move comes after the NRM Parliamentary Caucus resolved to withdraw the current UPDF Amendment Bill before Parliament.
The new proposals will be discussed in an Extraordinary Caucus meeting, ensuring that the UPDF Act aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling. Some key areas being considered for amendment include:
Appointing Lawyers in UPDF: Allowing lawyers to serve in the Court Martial to ensure fair trials.
Tenure of Court Officials: Defining the term limits for court officials to ensure accountability.
Manner of Appointment: Establishing a clear process for appointing court officials to prevent bias.
Separation of Disciplinary Unit: Distancing the disciplinary unit from the court system to prevent conflicts of interest.
These amendments aim to strengthen the UPDF’s judicial system, ensuring that it operates fairly and efficiently.
