Uganda Top Court Explains Three-Year Delay in Key Military Trial Ruling.
Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo cited building damage and staff changes for the long wait before Thursday's ruling that military courts cannot try civilians.
A 2022 fire destroyed the chief justice's office at the Supreme Court. Two justices retired, and two others died during the case. The court had to move buildings and name new judges before it could hear the appeal.
The case began in 2016 when lawmaker Michael Kabaziguruka challenged his trial in a military court. He faced firearms charges and accusations of plotting to overthrow the government.
The Constitutional Court ruled in 2021 that trying civilians in military courts broke the law. The attorney general appealed, leading to Thursday's Supreme Court decision backing the lower court.
The ruling affects current cases. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye and associate Hajj Obeid Lutale face military court charges for firearms possession and treachery. Their lawyer says the new ruling bars their trial there.
Justice Dollo said the court found temporary offices in late 2022. It added 15 new justices but lost two more through death - Justice Rubby Aweri Opio and Justice Stella Arach-Amoko.
The court appointed its final needed justices in January 2024. This let them form a complete panel to hear the appeal and issue Thursday's landmark decision.
The ruling orders civilian cases moved from military to civil courts under the public prosecutor's watch.
Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo cited building damage and staff changes for the long wait before Thursday's ruling that military courts cannot try civilians.
A 2022 fire destroyed the chief justice's office at the Supreme Court. Two justices retired, and two others died during the case. The court had to move buildings and name new judges before it could hear the appeal.
The case began in 2016 when lawmaker Michael Kabaziguruka challenged his trial in a military court. He faced firearms charges and accusations of plotting to overthrow the government.
The Constitutional Court ruled in 2021 that trying civilians in military courts broke the law. The attorney general appealed, leading to Thursday's Supreme Court decision backing the lower court.
The ruling affects current cases. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye and associate Hajj Obeid Lutale face military court charges for firearms possession and treachery. Their lawyer says the new ruling bars their trial there.
Justice Dollo said the court found temporary offices in late 2022. It added 15 new justices but lost two more through death - Justice Rubby Aweri Opio and Justice Stella Arach-Amoko.
The court appointed its final needed justices in January 2024. This let them form a complete panel to hear the appeal and issue Thursday's landmark decision.
The ruling orders civilian cases moved from military to civil courts under the public prosecutor's watch.
