Military Court Sits Empty After Supreme Court Bars Civilian Trials.
The General Court Martial in Kampala stood quiet Monday, days after the Supreme Court stripped its power to try civilians.
Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and activist Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya were set to appear there today. Previous hearings drew armed soldiers and top lawyers to the military court in Makindye.
The court has tried both men since November 2024 on charges of security violations, illegal weapons possession, and treachery. Officials claim these crimes happened in Kenya, Greece, and Switzerland.
Kenyan authorities seized Besigye and Lutale in Nairobi during a book launch by former Justice Minister Martha Karua. They were brought back to Uganda for military trial.
Defense lawyers Karua and Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago argued the court exists only to handle military discipline cases. They said it cannot try civilians or crimes outside Uganda.
The military court rejected these claims and kept sending civilians to prison. This led lawyers to seek help from the Supreme Court.
Last week, all seven Supreme Court justices agreed with a 2021 Constitutional Court ruling: military courts cannot try civilians.
Besigye and Lutale remain in jail despite the ruling. The same applies to lawyer Eron Kiiza and several members of the National Unity Platform opposition party.
The once-busy military court complex, known for its intense security presence, sat dormant on Monday as its authority over civilian cases ended.
The General Court Martial in Kampala stood quiet Monday, days after the Supreme Court stripped its power to try civilians.
Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and activist Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya were set to appear there today. Previous hearings drew armed soldiers and top lawyers to the military court in Makindye.
The court has tried both men since November 2024 on charges of security violations, illegal weapons possession, and treachery. Officials claim these crimes happened in Kenya, Greece, and Switzerland.
Kenyan authorities seized Besigye and Lutale in Nairobi during a book launch by former Justice Minister Martha Karua. They were brought back to Uganda for military trial.
Defense lawyers Karua and Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago argued the court exists only to handle military discipline cases. They said it cannot try civilians or crimes outside Uganda.
The military court rejected these claims and kept sending civilians to prison. This led lawyers to seek help from the Supreme Court.
Last week, all seven Supreme Court justices agreed with a 2021 Constitutional Court ruling: military courts cannot try civilians.
Besigye and Lutale remain in jail despite the ruling. The same applies to lawyer Eron Kiiza and several members of the National Unity Platform opposition party.
The once-busy military court complex, known for its intense security presence, sat dormant on Monday as its authority over civilian cases ended.
