Alice Alaso, the National Coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), has condemned Parliament for passing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, warning that it undermines constitutionalism and could lead to increased human rights abuses.
Speaking to the Nile Post, Alaso accused Parliament of bypassing standard legislative procedures to enact what she termed a "bad law."
She claimed the bill directly contradicts a recent Supreme Court ruling and weakens the separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
“This is an enactment to circumvent the Supreme Court ruling cementing the collapse of institutions and the separation of powers. Parliament has forced down the people of Uganda a bill that is an attack on constitutional order and the rule of law,” Alaso said
The UPDF Amendment Bill expands the jurisdiction of military courts to try civilians under certain conditions a move that has sparked strong opposition from civil society groups, legal experts, and opposition leaders.
Alaso warned that this law could be used to legitimise abductions, torture, and other abuses by security forces.
“A bad law to further kidnap and torture civilians by the Court Martial. Even those who voted for it should be very worried,” she said, citing the example of the Public Order Management Act, which she noted had been used against some of its early supporters.
“In an era of kidnaps, torture, and abuse of human rights, how can people who represent civilians be so excited about tying the hangman's noose on the people? This is painful, but not surprising,” Alaso added.
She accused Parliament of fuelling political instability and public suffering, pledging ANT's support for legal and civic efforts to challenge the legislation.
“Parliament has made its major contribution to instability, political uncertainty, and human suffering in Uganda. We pledge our solidarity with all efforts to overturn this bad legislation,” she concluded.
Parliament passed the UPDF Amendment Bill on Tuesday, granting military courts sweeping powers to try civilians found in possession of restricted weapons or accused of collaborating with soldiers in serious crimes such as treason, aggravated robbery, or murder.
The law directly contradicts a landmark Supreme Court ruling delivered on January 31, 2025, which declared the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional.
The court had ordered that all such cases—including those involving opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and others be transferred to civilian courts, hailing it as a milestone for judicial independence and the rule of law.
Opposition legislators accused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of undermining this ruling in violation of Article 92 of the Constitution, which prohibits Parliament from enacting laws that overturn specific court decisions.
“This is an attempt to legitimize illegitimacy,” said Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi, who led a dramatic walkout during plenary. “The Bill was rushed and is a draconian measure.”
MPs Wakayima Musoke (Nansana), Geofrey Kayemba Ssolo, and Geoffrey Lutaaya said lawmakers were denied adequate time to study and debate the bill, while Kioga North MP Moses Okot Bitek warned that military courts “cannot be impartial and independent,” making them “offensive to the principles of fair hearing and natural justice.”
Despite opposition, the NRM leveraged its numerical strength to push the bill through under tight security. Second Deputy Prime Minister Gen Moses Ali made a rare parliamentary appearance in what critics said signaled executive pressure. Sports Minister Peter Ogwang defended the bill emotionally, citing personal trauma and insecurity in Karamoja.
On the same day, Parliament also passed the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which restricts public funding to parties registered under the National Consultative Forum (NCF).
If assented to by President Museveni, the law could cut off funding to opposition parties such as the National Unity Platform (NUP), which is not affiliated with the NCF or Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).
UPC President Jimmy Akena criticized the amendment, saying it lacked consultation.
However, Democratic Party legal officer Kenneth Nsubuga welcomed it as a step toward formalising IPOD’s legal standing. Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka defended the amendment, stating it aimed to “reorganize” the NCF.
Both the UPDF and political parties bills now await presidential assent—widely expected given President Museveni’s public support.