The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Parliamentary Caucus has agreed that the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2024, currently in parliament be withdrawn.
The decision was reached during Friday’s Caucus meeting at State House, Entebbe, following an address of the ruling party chairman, President Yoweri Museveni. The decision also follows a recent Supreme Court ruling regarding the set-up of the Court Martials.
According to the statement issued by the Government’s Chief Whip, Dennis Hamson Obua, the NRM caucus resolved that the Attorney General be given time to draft new proposals into the UPDF Amendment Bill under the Supreme Court ruling, and an extraordinary meeting be convened to discuss the proposals of the Bill.
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was formally introduced on the floor of parliament through a First Reading on 19th December 2024, by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth Oboth. It was thereafter referred to the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs for consideration.
The object of the Bill is to amend the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Act, Cap. 330, to streamline the composition of the organs and structures of the Defence Forces; to establish a Health Care Service for the members of the Defence Forces; to establish the Medical Board; to provide for the management of veteran affairs; to repeal the Uganda Veterans Assistance Board Act, Cap. 221; and for other related matters.
The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Act, Cap. 330, was enacted in 2005. Since 2005, the defence sector has transformed both operationally and administratively. Therefore, the Bill aimed to amend the Act to address the existing gaps and consider new government policies.
Earlier this week, the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka told Parliament that the government had started implementing the recent Supreme Court orders on the trial of civilians in the General Court Martial.
Kiwanuka also said that they had also sought the advice of the Chief Justice regarding the person with whom the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) should liaise to effect the court orders.
The Attorney General also added that the General Court Martial in liaison with the prison authorities should provide a list of all criminal cases involving civilians pending before the said military courts to determine the appropriate courts to handle the matter.
“The General Court Martial should provide a list of all pending criminal cases involving Uganda People’s Defence Forces that are pending before the court martial that fall within the category of transfer for onward transmission to the courts for determination of the appropriate court to handle the matters,” Kiwanuka then said.
He also revealed that the DPP is advised to liaise with the court martial and UPDF to take over the conduct of the ongoing criminal trials that have been identified for transfer.
Additionally, the Attorney General also advised the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs to immediately commence considerations of the recommendation of the Supreme Court with a view of introducing appropriate amendments to the UPDF Act.
Last week, the Supreme Court chaired by the Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo delivered a judgement nullifying with immediate effect, the prosecution of all civilians in the General Court Martial and military courts. The Court declared the act unconstitutional.