Hundreds of Ugandan civilians, including prominent opposition leader Kizza Besigye, have been tried in military courts despite a Constitutional Court ruling against the practice. The move has triggered widespread criticism from activists, rights groups, and international observers.

President Yoweri Museveni, 80, has defended the controversial practice, citing the urgent need to address crimes involving firearms.

“The civilian courts were clogged with the many court cases of the whole country: murders, rape, assaults, robbery, land matters, divorce matters, etc. They could, therefore, not handle these gun-wielding criminals quickly. Yet, for stabilization, you need speed.”
President Yoweri Museveni

Museveni referenced a 2005 law enacted by his National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, which allowed military courts to try civilians in cases involving firearms and terrorism. He argued that the measure was necessary to combat “rampant activities of criminals and terrorists that were using guns to kill people indiscriminately.”

The arrest of Kizza Besigye, a fierce rival of Museveni and a veteran opposition leader, has reignited debate over Uganda’s judicial practices. Besigye, 68, was detained on November 16, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, under contentious circumstances. Reports suggest he was lured to a meeting by individuals posing as Kenyan police officers, before being forcibly taken to Uganda.

Besigye, who has contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, has long been a vocal critic of the government. Over the years, he has faced numerous arrests and charges, often perceived as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissent.

In the latest case, Besigye has been charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad — accusations he denies. His trial has been delayed until January, leaving him in custody over the holiday season.

Activists and rights groups have condemned his treatment as unfair. “Civilians tried in Uganda’s military courts do not receive the same due process guarantees as those in civilian courts,” said UN human rights chief Volker Türk.

Volker Turk2 — Volker Türk, High Commissioner for Human Rights

Broader Implications Of Military Trials

Human Rights Watch has urged the Ugandan government to end the “weaponization of military detention” and the trial of political opposition leaders in military courts. Critics argue that such practices undermine the country’s legal system and violate international human rights standards.

“What we’re seeing is the systematic targeting of opposition figures under the guise of security concerns,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch.

Besigye’s arrest has also drawn attention to Uganda’s broader crackdown on dissent. Earlier this year, Besigye announced his return to politics to resolve internal disputes within his party, which has split into two factions. His detention is seen as part of a broader effort by the government to stifle political opposition.

Museveni, however, has stood firm in his defense of military courts, stating that any crime involving a firearm must be dealt with swiftly to ensure national stability. “You have made your own contribution to our peace,” he praised Uganda’s military courts in a recent statement.

Besigye’s wife and supporters have called for his immediate release, arguing that his detention violates international human rights laws and due process. They have also questioned the legality of his abduction from Kenya, demanding accountability from both Ugandan and Kenyan authorities.

The case has further strained relations between Uganda and the international community, with calls for reform growing louder. “Many Ugandans and international stakeholders are watching closely,” said one observer. “The government’s actions in this case will set a precedent for how dissent is treated moving forward.”

As the trial looms, the world awaits to see whether Uganda will address concerns about judicial fairness or continue on its current path, risking further alienation from rights groups and global allies.