Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua has requested that Parliament allocate time on the order paper to allow Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao, to brief MPs on the government's progress in implementing the Supreme Court ruling that bars the trial and detention of civilians by the Military Court Martial.
The request follows growing concerns raised by the Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who questioned why several Ugandans are still being held in military detention despite the Supreme Court’s directive.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court made a landmark judgment that civilians have no place under the military’s jurisdiction, ordering that such cases be transferred to civilian courts.
Speaking during a plenary sitting on Thursday, Ssenyonyi voiced frustration over the government's failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling, pointing out that while some cases have been transferred, many others are still pending.
He specifically cited the cases of Yasin Machete, Anthony Agaba, and Sherif Kalanzi, all supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform, whose files have yet to be transferred from the Military Court to civilian courts.
“We thought that the government was going to move quickly to adhere to the Supreme Court ruling. Can we get an update because these people keep asking us? Is government not interested in respecting the order of the Supreme Court? Are they not planning to?” Ssenyonyi asked.
Ssenyonyi’s concerns were echoed by other MPs, who have called for a clear government stance on the matter.
The government has not released any of the political prisoners who were being prosecuted in the military court, including opposition stalwart Kizza Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale as well as his lawyer Eron Kiiza.
The cases of these individuals were transferred to the civil courts and they were charged afresh and subsequently remanded.
They have also been denied bail on several occasions.
The Leader of Opposition questioned the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, especially when it comes to the rights of civilians.
In response, Whip Obua proposed that Parliament summon Minister Mao to provide an update on how far the government has gone in implementing the court’s orders.
"May I request through you, Mr Speaker, that the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs be accorded space on the order paper when the House resumes to give a brief on that subject matter. We may not be privy to the details of the processes from the time the Supreme Court came up with that ruling," Obua said.
Obua’s request highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the government's handling of the issue.
The Chief Whip’s call for a parliamentary briefing underscores the importance of addressing public concerns over the continued detention of civilians by military authorities.
The Supreme Court ruling, which was issued earlier, stated that the trial of civilians by military courts is unconstitutional and violates their rights.
Since the ruling, many have been calling on the government to expedite the transfer of such cases to the civilian judicial system, ensuring that individuals are not subjected to military justice.
The government's failure to fully implement the Supreme Court’s decision has sparked public outcry, with many questioning the government’s commitment to upholding judicial independence and respecting the Constitution.