The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has so far received 45 case files that were previously under the jurisdiction of the General Court Martial, following a Supreme Court ruling issued in January.
The court had directed that all civilian cases be transferred from the military court to civilian courts.
Appearing before the joint parliamentary committee on legal and defense affairs, Deputy DPP John Baptist Asiimwe confirmed the transfer of the cases, including that of former FDC presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye.
He noted that some of the files are still under investigation and have not yet been presented in court.
Asiimwe expressed support for proposed amendments to the UPDF Act, provided they align with the Supreme Court decision.
He urged Parliament to ensure that the Court Martial’s jurisdiction is strictly limited to matters outlined in the UPDF Act.
He also emphasized that the dispensation of justice in the military justice system should not be influenced by rank, but rather by the judicial oath, and called for reforms to allow court martial officers to serve beyond rank-based restrictions.
By Francis Lubega
16th May 2025
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