Fort Portal, Uganda – The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has directed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and all security agencies to immediately release all civilians detained under military prosecution, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling barring the trial of civilians in military courts.
The ruling in Attorney General v. Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka, filed in 2021, has finally put an end to a 25-year legal battle over military jurisdiction and reaffirms the supremacy of Uganda’s Constitution.
The Uganda Law Society, under the leadership of its President, Isaac K. Ssemakadde, has declared that this decision must be fully implemented without delay.
Military courts are required to cease all pending prosecutions of civilians, transfer relevant cases to civilian courts, and review their internal protocols to prevent further violations.
ULS has also urged Parliament to amend the UPDF Act, particularly sections 117(1)(g) and 117(1)(h), which have been exploited to justify military trials of civilians.
The law society insists that clear jurisdictional boundaries must be established to prevent future abuses and ensure that constitutional rights are upheld.
The Executive has been called upon to issue immediate directives enforcing the ruling across all security agencies.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been urged to dismiss cases that were unlawfully placed under military jurisdiction, while an inter-ministerial task force should be formed to oversee compliance and provide reparations for affected individuals.
For years, civilians, especially in regions like Karamoja, have suffered under military trials that denied them access to fair legal processes.
The ruling now demands an end to this practice, marking a turning point for Uganda’s justice system.
The Uganda Law Society warns that continued military overreach into civilian justice must be eliminated to protect human rights and ensure true national security.
ULS has committed to monitoring compliance, providing legal assistance to victims, and working with Parliament to push for necessary legislative reforms.
The law society has also vowed to remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine or circumvent this historic ruling.
This Supreme Court judgment is expected to restore public confidence in Uganda’s legal system and reinforce the rule of law.
The Uganda Law Society has made it clear: no civilian should ever face trial in a military court again.
