Uganda's Top Judge Maps Military Court Reforms.
Uganda's Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo ruled Thursday that military courts cannot try civilians. He called for major changes to the nation's court system.
The Supreme Court head advised turning the General Court Martial into a High Court division. This move would let it handle serious crimes by soldiers and select civilian cases.
Owiny-Dollo said military tribunals should focus on discipline issues, not jail terms. He asked the government to use civilian courts for other criminal cases.
The ruling found that parts of Uganda's military law clash with the constitution. These sections allow lower military courts to imprison people.
"Make appeals from military courts match those in regular courts," Owiny-Dollo told lawmakers. He urged clear rules for trying civilians in military courts.
The chief justice wants civilian judges in military courts. These experts would handle cases equal to chief magistrate courts - crimes with up to life terms.
He suggested letting the High Court act as a court martial. This would cover death penalty cases and special military crimes, while regular courts would manage lesser offenses.
The plan includes military staff serving as court advisers. Appeals would go through standard courts, with the Court of Appeal handling military cases.
Owiny-Dollo stressed strict limits on trying civilians in military courts. The state must prove regular courts cannot handle such cases.
Uganda's Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo ruled Thursday that military courts cannot try civilians. He called for major changes to the nation's court system.
The Supreme Court head advised turning the General Court Martial into a High Court division. This move would let it handle serious crimes by soldiers and select civilian cases.
Owiny-Dollo said military tribunals should focus on discipline issues, not jail terms. He asked the government to use civilian courts for other criminal cases.
The ruling found that parts of Uganda's military law clash with the constitution. These sections allow lower military courts to imprison people.
"Make appeals from military courts match those in regular courts," Owiny-Dollo told lawmakers. He urged clear rules for trying civilians in military courts.
The chief justice wants civilian judges in military courts. These experts would handle cases equal to chief magistrate courts - crimes with up to life terms.
He suggested letting the High Court act as a court martial. This would cover death penalty cases and special military crimes, while regular courts would manage lesser offenses.
The plan includes military staff serving as court advisers. Appeals would go through standard courts, with the Court of Appeal handling military cases.
Owiny-Dollo stressed strict limits on trying civilians in military courts. The state must prove regular courts cannot handle such cases.
