Uganda - January 2025

On 31 January, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, nullifying all ongoing prosecutions. The Uganda Law Society welcomed the landmark decision as a victory for constitutionalism. Despite President Yoweri Museveni initially dismissing the ruling, the Attorney General announced on 4 February that the government was to take steps to implement it, including transferring civilian cases from military to civilian courts. On 17 February, the government stated that it would move opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye’s trial to a civilian court. Besigye was arrested in Kenya in November 2024 alongside his aide, Haji Obeid Lutale, and faces charges carrying the death penalty.

Sources: X, Monitor, Human Rights Watch, Radio France Internationale, Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, Voice of America, Associated Press