Besigye Will Not Be Released: UPDF Overrides Supreme Court Ruling

On January 31, 2024, the Supreme Court made a major decision, ruling that the General Court Martial (GCM) has no authority to prosecute civilians. The court declared that trying civilians in military courts goes against the Constitution.

This ruling, delivered by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, supports an earlier decision by the Constitutional Court, which had also nullified military trials for civilians. This is a setback for the government, which has long defended the practice.

However, the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) has not accepted the ruling without resistance. Colonel Chris Magezi, the Military Assistant to the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) in Charge of Public Relations, issued an official statement on behalf of the UPDF.

According to the statement, "The General Court Martial will continue to prosecute individuals involved in conspiring to assassinate the president, committing armed rebellion against Uganda, and engaging in terrorism against the people of Uganda.

Under no circumstances will Colonel Kizza Besigye be released until he has fully faced martial law. The final decision on this issue will be determined by the Commander-in-Chief and Chairman of the High Command, General Yoweri Kaguta Museveni."

With this clear defiance from the military court, the spotlight now turns to the fate of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Many are eager to see how the case unfolds following the Supreme Court’s decision.

As a Ugandan, what are your thoughts on the