The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has petitioned the Constitutional Court seeking the nullification of the recently enacted Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Act 2025, citing procedural flaws and constitutional violations.
Filed through a consortium of legal teams Nalukoola Advocates, Kiboneka & Mbabazi Advocates, and Pace Advocates the petition lists Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, and Defence Minister Jacob Oboth Oboth as respondents.
Passed by Parliament on May 20, 2025, and subsequently signed into law by the President, the UPDF Amendment Act was introduced to reform the military’s administrative structures and enhance the welfare of soldiers.
However, the NUP has strongly objected to the law’s provision allowing civilians to be tried in military courts, calling it a direct violation of the Constitution.
According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, the petition argues that Parliament rushed the legislation, reintroducing provisions that the Supreme Court had previously ruled unconstitutional.
The party further accuses Speaker Anita Among of knowingly pushing the contested clauses through Parliament, and Defense Minister Oboth Oboth of defending the bill despite its legal defects.
NUP also contends that lawmakers were given less than 24 hours to review the 150-page bill, undermining any meaningful debate or participation.
Additionally, the petition highlights claims that the parliamentary session which passed the bill lacked the necessary quorum a concern rose by opposition MPs who staged a walkout in protest.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi reaffirmed that the Supreme Court had already made its position clear: civilians must be tried in civilian courts.
The NUP now hopes the Constitutional Court will uphold that precedent by declaring the contentious sections of the UPDF Amendment Act null and void.
They argue this would protect citizens’ rights to a fair trial and preserve the constitutional separation of powers.
By Charles Katabalwa
13th Aug 2025
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