Museveni and Muhoozi act as if they own this country, says Ssemujju Nganda

The recent Supreme Court ruling on the court martial has stirred discussions among legal experts and opposition figures in Uganda. Many are questioning the role of military courts in the country’s justice system.

During a conversation on The Capital Gang show on Capital Radio, panelists examined the ruling, its impact, and reactions from President Museveni and his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Hon. Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda expressed strong criticism over the concerns raised by Museveni and Muhoozi, questioning why only they appeared troubled by the ruling.

"If this ruling was really about justice and governance, why aren't more people complaining? Why don’t they hold a press conference and explain their concerns?" he asked. "They act as though they own this country, and that in itself is the real issue."

Hon. Abdu Katuntu provided a legal perspective, arguing that court martial judges should be properly trained in law. "If you want to have a legal tribunal within the army, why don’t you recruit and train people who can interpret the law?" he questioned. He also challenged the military court’s involvement in civilian cases, stating, “If civil courts are not failing, why is the court martial taking over their role?”

To support his point, Katuntu referenced the successful prosecution of the 2010 World Cup bombing trial in civilian courts. "Nobody ever questioned the competence of that ruling," he noted, suggesting that military courts should not handle civilian cases.

However, he also acknowledged that Museveni, like any other Ugandan, has the right to express his views on court rulings, provided he respects the final judgment.

On the other hand, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto shared insights from the ruling party, stating that the NRM caucus had agreed to withdraw the controversial amendment bill. "We have agreed to take it back for further review, so that all necessary legal considerations can be addressed," she explained.

Wanyoto also clarified that court martial judges must hold a rank of lieutenant colonel or higher and meet constitutional qualifications.

She highlighted an ongoing debate on whether civilians involved in crimes with UPDF officers should face military courts. "This issue needs serious discussion before any final decisions are made," she said.

This ruling has sparked various opinions, and the debate over the role of military courts in Uganda continues. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments and follow for more updates on this issue.