President Museveni has strongly defended the role of the General Court Martial in maintaining national security, describing it as an indispensable mechanism for addressing armed criminality in Uganda.
In a statement released on his official X platform, the President emphasized that the military courts have been crucial in ensuring swift and decisive action against individuals who misuse firearms to destabilize the country.
Museveni argued that the military courts, referred to as “Eyokyeero,” a Runyankore term meaning reinforcement, play a vital role in stabilizing Uganda by handling cases that civilian courts cannot manage efficiently.
“I have seen the arguments in the papers by some lawyers regarding the correctness of some civilians being tried in the Court Martial. I want to affirm that, that move was correct and useful, and it has contributed to the stabilization of Uganda.” He stated
Adding that : “This law, enacted in 2005 by the NRM government, was designed to combat rampant criminal activities involving firearms. Civilian courts were overwhelmed by a backlog of cases, and they lacked the speed required to address such threats effectively,”.
The President dismissed criticisms of civilians being tried in military courts, asserting that those who misuse guns essentially act as soldiers outside the law. He clarified that the Court Martial is subordinate to the general courts and provides recourse for appeals, ensuring fairness and accountability.
“The Court Martial courts’ system is a subordinate one to the general courts of the whole country. If the Court Martial judged badly, the superior courts will rectify the issue.” he clarified
The President credited the Court Martial’s efficiency for achieving results that civilian courts struggle to match, particularly in cases involving dangerous armed criminals.
“These individuals, although not soldiers, voluntarily and with evil intentions acquired killing instruments that should be the monopoly of the Armed Forces, governed by the relevant laws.” he said
He argued that delays in civilian judicial processes often lead to bail or prolonged remand, which undermines national security.
“The civilian courts were clogged with the many court cases of the whole country: murders, rape, assaults, robbery, land matters, divorce matters, etc., etc. They could, therefore, not handle these gun-wielding criminals quickly. Yet, for stabilization, you need speed.” he added
Museveni mentioned the Court Martial’s success in restoring peace in Karamoja, where coordinated efforts between military and judicial authorities have significantly reduced armed violence. During a recent tour, local leaders appealed to the President to consider pardoning some of the incarcerated Karimojong youths, a request he attributed to the courts’ effectiveness in addressing the region’s insecurity.
“Just by coincidence, last week, I started my tour of Karamoja. While there, the leaders and elders appealed to me to pardon the, apparently, thousands of the Karimojong youth that had been safely put in prison by the active Court Martial courts in the 3rd Division AOR (Area of Responsibility). Kitalya Prison has, apparently, 2,000 inmates, and the Karimojong youth account for 900 of that number.” he said
He further stated: “These courts have legally isolated dangerous elements, creating room for peace and order.I have already directed the CDF together with his army colleagues to audit and enhance the operations of the Court Martial courts to ensure they maintain their efficiency and effectiveness in contributing to our peace.”
Museveni reaffirmed his support for the military courts and suggested that a referendum could gauge public opinion on their role.
“Should we have a Referendum on this issue? Why would lawyers not see what the ordinary mwanainchi sees? If we were to have a Referendum in the affected districts neighboring Karamoja on this issue, I am sure 100% would support the law. The ordinary citizens understand the importance of the Court Martial in keeping peace and removing dangerous actors from society.”he declared
By framing the General Court Martial as a critical component of Uganda’s security apparatus, Museveni reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing peace and stability over procedural delays, a stance he believes resonates with the majority of Ugandans.
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