The battle for civil liberties in Uganda is once again heading to the courtroom.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has strongly opposed the newly passed UPDF Amendment Act 2025, declaring its intention to challenge the act’s constitutionality once it is formally gazetted.
The Act, passed by Parliament earlier this year, expands the jurisdiction of military courts, specifically, granting them sweeping powers to try civilians under loosely defined “national security” circumstances.
Human rights defenders and legal scholars alike are sounding the alarm, warning that the move erodes the independence of the judiciary and opens the door for abuse.
The controversy is intensified by the fact that the new law appears to fly directly in the face of a landmark Supreme Court ruling issued on January 31st, which explicitly barred the military from trying civilians, declaring the practice unconstitutional.
That decision was hailed as a victory for human rights and the rule of law in Uganda.
The Court emphasised that military courts are not impartial tribunals for civilians and that such practices infringe on the right to a fair trial.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kampala, NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi accused the government of “deliberate and dangerous constitutional sabotage.” He stated:
“This Act is a blatant violation of our Constitution and undermines the authority of our highest court. We will not stand by as this regime drags civilians into military courts under the guise of security. As soon as this law is gazetted, we are heading straight to the Constitutional Court.”
The NUP’s legal team is reportedly already drafting the petition, which will challenge the Act on several grounds—including violation of the right to a fair hearing, the separation of powers, and the supremacy of the Constitution.
 has strongly opposed the newly passed UPDF Amendment Act 2025, declaring its intention to challenge the act's constitutionality once it is formally gazetted.){kind=link}