The National Unity Platform (NUP) has announced plans to sue the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for alleged contempt of judicial proceedings over the failure to transfer cases of political prisoners from the military court to civilian courts.
Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Kavule, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said the party would take legal action against the Director of Public Prosecutions for not implementing a directive issued by the Supreme Court of Uganda.
Rubongoya stated that the Supreme Court ordered that all cases involving civilians being tried before the General Court Martial be transferred to civilian courts. However, he said the directive has not been fully implemented.
According to Rubongoya, several individuals whom the party describes as political prisoners remain under the jurisdiction of the military court despite the ruling.
“We are going to sue the DPP for contempt of judicial proceedings because the orders of the Supreme Court have not been respected,” Rubongoya said.
He added that the continued detention and trial of civilians before the military court undermines the rule of law and disregards the authority of the country’s highest court.
The NUP Secretary General urged the relevant authorities to comply with the court ruling and ensure that all affected cases are transferred to the appropriate civilian courts without further delay.
The Supreme Court earlier ruled that civilians should not be tried in military courts, directing that such cases be moved to the civilian justice system.
Rubongoya said the party will pursue legal action to ensure the ruling is respected and that the rights of those affected are protected.
