Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Peter Elwelu, expressed concern over the prolonged delays in court martials to resolve cases, which he says hinders the dispensing of justice. He addressed this during a lecture at the Jinja City-based Legal Training Center, highlighting the potential risks these delays pose to maintaining discipline within the armed forces.
Elwelu criticized the court martials for their inefficiencies, attributing the delays to the rise in desertion cases within the force. He pointed out that the delayed prosecution of past offenders contributes to the encouragement of new deserters, as significant disciplinary actions are not promptly taken.
Highlighting the global trend, Elwelu emphasized the detrimental impact of indiscipline within the armed forces, leading to the downfall of powerful armies. He warned that without deliberate efforts from court martials to enforce the Force’s code of conduct consistently, indiscipline could escalate from minor offenses to severe breaches, causing widespread havoc in the country.
Expressing concern over the continuous adjournments, Elwelu hinted at the army leadership considering alternative measures to ensure timely justice delivery. This move aims to set a precedent and deter errant personnel from engaging in criminal activities. Emphasizing the importance of discipline, Elwelu underscored the need for unified efforts between the army and the general population to prevent chaos in the country.
Furthermore, Elwelu cautioned senior officers against succumbing to the allure of material wealth, warning that such actions could lead to prosecution by junior officers, resulting in a loss of respect within the institution.
On the same note, Wako Wambuzi, the former chief Justice who doubles as the chief instructor at LTC, stressed the significance of maintaining discipline and efficient time management within court martials. He emphasized that upholding the Force’s code of conduct at all times is crucial for successful military operations.
The UPDF court system, which is mandated with dispensing justice involving military personnel is provided for under articles 194, 195, 197, 199, and 200 of the UPDF Act 2005. The court structure comprises the Unit Disciplinary Committee, the Division Court Martial, General Court-Martial, Court Martial Appeal Court, and Field Court Martial. The court-martials are chaired by a chairperson of a designated rank assisted by at least 6 other members of different ranks depending on the level of the court in question.
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