President Yoweri Museveni, the National Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party, has called a special NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting to discuss proposed amendments to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act.
The decision to withdraw the bill follows a Supreme Court ruling that suspended all proceedings in the General Court Martial.
In her judgment, Justice Catherine Bamugemereire declared the court a military tribunal lacking the constitutional mandate to try civilians. She argued that its structure and procedures violate the principles of fairness and impartiality guaranteed under Uganda’s Constitution.
The discussion follows a previous caucus resolution to withdraw the UPDF Amendment Bill, 2024, which aimed to align the Act with new government policies and evolving command, control, and administrative structures within the Defence Forces, particularly after the introduction of new services.
The bill also sought to improve the welfare of Defence Forces personnel by addressing gaps in healthcare services and decentralizing the Pension Authority from the Ministry of Public Service to the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs. Additionally, it aimed to enhance disability compensation to ensure fair payments to officers and personnel.
Despite the withdrawal of the bill, legal experts emphasize that the new legislation must not override the Supreme Court ruling but rather align with its concerns. Article 92 of the Constitution prohibits Parliament from enacting laws that nullify or override court decisions.
Following supreme Court ruling, Museveni said the decision are made by Ugandans.
