Uganda leader backs military trials as rival in jail for Christmas
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, 80, has defended the use of military courts to try civilians, amid public criticism following the arrest and prosecution of opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
Besigye, 68, has been charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to procure weapons abroad—allegations he denies. Last month, he was abducted while visiting Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda. On Tuesday, he learned his trial would be postponed until January, leaving him in custody over the holiday season.
Museveni justified the practice, arguing that crimes involving firearms are better handled by military courts to ensure national stability, as civilian courts often face delays. Despite the Constitutional Court ruling against the trial of civilians in military courts, the practice remains widespread, with hundreds of civilians subjected to military trials.
In a detailed post on X, Museveni addressed legal criticisms, stating that his National Resistance Movement (NRM) government enacted a law in 2005 to permit military trials due to the prevalence of criminals and terrorists using firearms to commit indiscriminate killings.
“The civilian courts were overwhelmed with cases—murders, rape, assaults, robbery, land disputes, divorce, and more. They couldn’t quickly handle gun-related crimes, which are crucial for stabilization,” Museveni explained.
Besigye has objected to being tried by a court martial, saying that if there were any charges against him, he should be tried in a civilian court.
A fierce rival of Museveni, he has contested and lost four presidential elections against Uganda’s leader, who has been in power since 1986.
He has been less active in politics in the last couple of years, and did not contest the 2021 election.
The veteran politician – who was once Museveni’s personal doctor – has been arrested dozens of times in Uganda but never convicted.
Earlier this year he announced he was returning to the political fray to help sort out his party, which has split into two factions.
Activists and rights groups have rallied behind him, condemning his treatment as unfair.
“Civilians tried in Uganda’s military courts do not receive the same due process guarantees as those in civilian courts,” UN human rights chief Volker Türk said.
There are reports that his arrest had been planned for months.
Human Rights Watch has urged the Ugandan government to end the “weaponization of military detention” and the trial of political opposition leaders and their supporters.
But Museveni said the East African nation was justified in using court martials.
He ended his statement with this praise for them: “You have made your own contribution to our peace.”
