“Emphasizing that the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial is limited to the provisions of the UPDF Act by necessary implication means that its jurisdiction does not extend to other Acts of parliament. The composition and the power of appointment of the Court Martial members by the UPDF High Command further emphasize its restrictive nature. Parliament intended that the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial extends only to the UPDF,” a ruling by justice Kenneth Kakuru reads in part.
The court’s ruling follows a 2016 petition by the then Nakawa MP Michael Kabaziguruka challenging his trial in the General Court Martial. Kabaziguruka was accused of being found with firearms - a preserve of armed forces. It was said then that he intended to use them to overthrow a democratically elected government of Uganda.
Army court has no powers to try civilians - Constitutional court observer.ug - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from observer.ug Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Ugandan military court grants bail to some opposition activists, keeps others in jail 26 May 2021 - 12:14 By Elias Biryabarema But critics say nearly all civilian cases handled by military courts involve political opposition. Some defendants face treason charges. Image: 123RF/STOCK STUDIO 44
A Ugandan court released on bail on Tuesday 17 of 35 opposition activists detained since the start of the year in what activists have described as a crackdown on dissent linked to a January election.
The group, all supporters of singer-turned-opposition leader Bobi Wine, were originally detained on Dec. 30 for violating Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings.
When a civilian court ordered their release, their case was transferred to a military court, where they then faced firearms charges after police said they found four bullets at the home of one of the 32 men.
Army court releases 17 of 35 NUP supporters
May 25, 2021 Some of the NUP supporters arrive at the army court
The General Court Martial has released 17 of the 35 National Unity Platform (NUP) who have been on remand since December last year when they were arrested from Kalangala island during the presidential campaigns. 18 others have been further remanded until June 8.
Those released on Shs 20 million (non-cash) bail include; Robinson Ntambi Mudde, Stanley Kafuko aka Kysta, Kivumbi Achileo, Samson Ssekiranda aka Giant, Robert Katumba, Kyabagu Geserwa aka Pympah, Faisal Kigongo aka Ras Fazo, Musa Mulimira, Sam Mutumba aka Papa Sam, Hussein Mukasa aka Oshea, John Bosco Sunday, Fahad Tamale, Bashir Murusha and William Nyanzi aka Mbogo.