The ruling NRM Parliamentary Caucus has endorsed President Yoweri Museveni’s decision to have military courts continue prosecuting civilians found in possession of illegal firearms. Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua revealed this while addressing parliamentary journalists after the meeting at State House Entebbe on Friday.
The Caucus unanimously resolved to support the proposed amendments to the UPDF Act, presented by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka. The resolutions align with the Supreme Court ruling and are based on three broad principles:
Military Personnel Misconduct: Serving military personnel will be tried by the military Courts Martial first, with the right to appeal through civilian courts.
Civilians with Illegal Firearms: Civilians who acquire specified firearms illegally will be tried by the Military Courts Martial first, with the right to appeal through civilian courts.
Appeals from Military Courts: Provisions will be made for rights of appeal from decisions of Courts Martial to Civilian Courts.
In the same meeting, the Caucus received the Budget Prioritization for Financial Year 2025/2026 and deferred debate to the next NRM Caucus Meeting. The government is already implementing the Supreme Court orders on the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial, according to Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
