President M7 Defends Civilian Trial In Military Courts.
By Angel Lubowa
KAMPALA
GEN Yoweri Museveni the Uganda’s president has saluted the works of military courtd and defended their trial of civilians stating that it has stabilized the country.
In a statement addressed to Ugandans, particularly the youth, Museveni referred to the court martial as an “eyokyeero” (reinforcement) that complements civilian courts in handling cases involving firearms.
“The move was correct and useful, and it has contributed to the stabilisation of Uganda,” Museveni stated.
He explained that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) enacted the law in 2005 due to the rampant activities of criminals and terrorists using guns to indiscriminately kill people.
Museveni noted that civilian courts are often overwhelmed by a backlog of cases ranging from murder to land disputes, leaving them ill-equipped to swiftly deal with gun-wielding criminals.
“For stabilisation, you need speed. These individuals, although not soldiers, voluntarily and with evil intentions acquired killing instruments that should be the monopoly of the Armed Forces,” he said.
The President argued that the court martial system ensures efficiency while protecting public safety, as dangerous individuals are removed from society and provided with basic needs in detention.
Museveni highlighted the role of military courts in restoring peace in the Karamoja region, where thousands of armed youth were apprehended.
He revealed that 900 of the 2,000 inmates at Kitalya Prison are Karamojong youths detained by the military courts.
(See statement pdf in full)
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