By Mugula@namunye
The Government of Uganda is determined to re-examine the public in the military courts, as the Ministerial Cabinet has passed an amendment to the Army Act, and the bill has been returned to parliament for debate.
Dr Chris Baryomunsi
The Supreme Court recently suspended the court Martial from trialing civilians again, alleging that the judges sitting in the court are illegal.
This forced the NRM Parliament to sit immediately to discuss the issue, and all the proposals were passed by the cabinet as a whole.
The Minister of Information,Communications Technology and National Guidance Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, speaking at the Media Center in Kampala, said that the ministerial council was not separated, and again passed a bill that gave the military court the power to prosecute civilians.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said some of the amendments they have put in the bill are in harmony with the Supreme Court’s advice, and now they need military personnel to sit at the court.
Asked about the government’s failure to prosecute the civilians in a military court, in response to Minister Baryomunsi said there were only people in the country who were only able to afford the court.
The move comes as many Ugandans who were tried in a military court have not been released yet, and they could have been reinstated any time if Parliament passes the amendments.
Some of these people who are still being held in various prisons include Retired Dr. Con. Kiiza Besigye, Hajji Obed Lutale, NUP supporters arrested on various charges around politics and others.