Reject UPDF Bill, DP tells NRM legislators

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The Democratic Party (DP) has asked the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party legislators to use their numerical advantage in Parliament to frustrate the passing of the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Bill.

The Bill, which, among others, seeks to allow the trial of civilians in military courts under certain circumstances, has been met with opposition from various Opposition political parties, including human rights groups and selected Opposition legislators.

DP legal advisor Kenneth Nsubuga, while addressing journalists at DP National Campaign headquarters on Balintuma Road in Kampala city on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, said the Bill undermines civilian authority rights and judicial oversight done by the Supreme Court.

"This is the time when we need the input of our NRM friends in Parliament to help us. As guided by the Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, it will dilute civilian protections, which contradicts international norms that limit military courts to serving personnel and offences of military nature but not civilians," he stated.

According to Nsubuga, this is a calculated move if passed to reinstate military trials of civilians under a different pretence, potentially used to persecute opposition politicians, Nsubuga emphasised.



NRM MP's influence

Nsubuga said it is only NRM legislators in Parliament who are the majority to block or amend the Bill.

"We, as DP, are determined to block the Bill, but NRM outnumbers us in the House. It is alleged that over 317 NRM MPs, including the Opposition, were controversially bribed with sh100m to pass the Bill, but we are here to denounce such a move," Nsubuga insisted.

"When you participate in passing draconian laws, you shall be like former Prime Minister of Uganda John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, who fronted the passing of the Public Order Management (POMA) Act that was later used against him during his campaigns as a presidential candidate in Mbale district," he added.

Moved by Defence Minister Jacob Oboth-Oboth, the Government says the Bill is designed to comply with the Supreme Court's January 2025 ruling, which barred the trial of civilians in military courts.

Oboth emphasises that the Bill seeks to balance respect for the court's ruling with the need to confront new national security threats.

The controversial law was annulled by the Supreme Court, led by Owiny-Dollo in the case that involved former Nakawa West MP Michael Kabaziguruka and the Attorney General.

National Unity Platform (NUP) party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, also Parliament's Leader of Opposition, on Monday said he would attend the reading of the Bill session in the House: "We have no option. We are few in numbers but our people we represent want to hear what our proposals are before it is passed or blocked by Parliament".