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Citizen Posts
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Owing to a January 31st 2025 ruling where the supreme court trimmed the powers of the General Court Martial from trying civilians, President Museveni disagreed with the ruling and clearly said he will not back down but make amendments and have the court back in style.
His son who is also the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Muhoozi Keinerugaba had the same thoughts and didn’t mince his words while delivering a speech in Kyotera as the army commemorated the Tarehe Sita.
The open displeasure with the supreme court ruling by president Museveni the Commander in Chief and his son the Chief of Defense Forces were preceded by several meetings of the NRM caucus at state house to discuss proposals of amendments to the UPDF Act. All these were put in one document dubbed the UPDF Amendment Act 2025.
Parliament resumes today, the order paper is already out and the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025 will be read for the first time under item 3 today in the afternoon by the minister of Defense and Veteran affairs Hon Jacob Oboth Oboth. Among the amendments being is done is reorganizing the General Court Martial with Law experts. It also introduces chance to appeal sentences of the General Court Martial in civilian courts.
One thing Ugandans are sure of is that once the bill sails through and passed by the Members of parliament whose hearts have already been softened with some Shs100m already, civilians will be tried again like never before.
Legislators from the opposition are not happy with the amendments and questioning the urgency of the bill saying despite the Supreme Court ruling, several political prisoners continue languishing in jails with their files not yet transferred to Civilian courts to give them a chance to apply for bail. Majority of opposition politicians claim Uganda needs electoral reforms as soon as possible than the rushed Amendments to the UPDF Act.
Information available to the public indicate that the president gifted every NRM Member of parliament Shs100m each as a thank you for their work well done. This has been confirmed by the NRM Women League boss Lydia Wanyoto and the Deputy State House Press Secretary Kirunda Faruke though the recipients of the money continue denying but one MP Twaha Kagabo who defected from NUP to NRM has since confirmed receiving 100m.
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