Uganda Parliament Passes Controversial UPDF Amendment Bill 2025

Strategic Insights -

The Ugandan Parliament has passed the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after a heated debate that exposed deep divisions over the military's jurisdiction to try civilians and the role of the General Court Martial. The Bill introduces 84 clauses, including structural reforms and a contentious provision on court martial jurisdiction over civilians. The majority report backed the Bill, but a minority report opposed it, arguing that it violates the 2021 Supreme Court ruling on the trial of civilians by military courts. The opposition MPs who walked out of the plenary session have resolved to take legal action against the government, accusing it of acting in contempt of a Supreme Court directive.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Uganda Parliament passed the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after a heated debate over the military's jurisdiction to try civilians and the role of the General Court Martial.
  • The Bill introduces 84 clauses, including structural reforms within the Defence Forces and the contentious provision on court martial jurisdiction over civilians.
  • The majority report backed the Bill, but a minority report opposed it, citing the 2021 Supreme Court ruling that declared the trial of civilians by military courts unconstitutional in most circumstances.
  • Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth tabled the Bill before the House, but a minority report by Hon. Moses Okot Junior strongly opposed it, arguing that it violates the Supreme Court ruling on the trial of civilians by military courts.
  • Minister Peter Ogwang made an impassioned defense of the Bill, recalling his childhood trauma caused by insecurity in Karamoja and arguing that the Bill strengthens military discipline and protects citizens.
  • MP Muhammad Nsereko proposed deleting Clause 30, which introduces Section 117A defining broad categories of civilians who may be tried by military courts, but lost the vote.
  • A section of opposition MPs are taking legal action against the government, accusing it of acting in contempt of a Supreme Court directive by pushing through the UPDF Amendment Bill without conducting adequate public consultations.

Statistics:

  • 84 clauses introduced by the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
  • 143-page Bill constitutes a major overhaul of the UPDF Act.
  • 3 opposition MPs proposed motions to amend or delete clauses in the Bill, but were defeated.
  • 1 Minister (Peter Ogwang) and several NRM MPs defended the role of military courts and the Bill.
  • 30 sections of the Bill relate to court martial jurisdiction over civilians.

Sources:

  • Uganda Parliament
  • "Uganda: Government Warned Against Passing UPDF Amendment Bill Without Public Consultation." (Africa Times)
  • "Uganda Supreme Court Ruling on Trial of Civilians by Military Courts." (The East African)