M7 Sorry For Supreme Court Judgement, Vows Amendments To Uphold Army Courts
By Angel Lubowa
KAMPALA
President Museveni has said that he is sorry for the supreme court Judgement which nullified the trial of civilians by military courts.
He said court martial trying civilians was for the good of the country’s security and firmly defended the military court system saying it’s essential to the country’s security and stability.
In a statement made following Friday’s landmark decision, Mr Museveni expressed disappointment with the decision, which declared that civilians accused of certain crimes, such as illegal possession of firearms, should not be tried in military courts.
“I was sorry to hear of the wrong decision by the Supreme Court regarding the trial of civilians in military courts,” Mr Museveni said.
“This is an instrument we cannot and will not abandon. It has proven effective in dealing with armed criminals and ensuring the safety of our people.”
He stressed that the military court system has been particularly instrumental in addressing security threats posed by civilians illegally armed with firearms, a concern that has been growing in parts of Uganda.
“Why should civilians who illegally arm themselves with firearms not face military trials?” Museveni asked.
Mr Museveni further highlighted the role of military courts in regions like Karamoja, where insecurity had made it difficult for civilian magistrates to operate.
Instead, President Museveni called for constitutional amendments to address the issue and ensure that military courts remain a viable option for handling crimes related to national security.
“The country is not governed by the judges,” Museveni asserted. “It is governed by the people. We will use referenda or parliamentary amendments to make sure our legal framework serves the needs of our society.”
The President affirmed that he would not allow the judicial decision to undermine Uganda’s security and stability.
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