Ssemakadde Hails 'Historic Win for Civilian Rights' Following Supreme Court Decision
ULS has called on the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and other security agencies to fully comply with the judgment and ensure that civilians are no longer subjected to military trials.
Uganda Law Society (ULS) President Isaac Ssemakadde has hailed today’s Supreme Court judgment that barred trial of civilians in military courts, calling it a landmark decision that upholds constitutionalism and human rights.
The judgment definitively prohibits the trial of civilians in military courts, a practice that had sparked widespread concern for undermining civil liberties.
In a strongly worded statement, Ssemakadde described the judgment as a victory for democracy, emphasizing that the previous practice of subjecting civilians to military jurisdiction had fostered a culture of impunity.
"Justice delayed has been justice denied for countless Ugandans who have suffered under the dark shadow of military justice," he said.
ULS has called on the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and other security agencies to fully comply with the judgment and ensure that civilians are no longer subjected to military trials.
Ssemakadde also urged Parliament to amend the UPDF Act to ensure it aligns with constitutional principles and removes any legal ambiguities that have enabled military overreach into civilian justice.
The Executive has been tasked with issuing directives to security agencies to enforce the judgment, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been urged to review pending cases, with a view to releasing those eligible for immediate discharge.
Additionally, ULS has recommended the creation of an inter-ministerial task force to oversee implementation, alongside a compensation mechanism for victims of unconstitutional military trials.
While celebrating the judgment, ULS cautioned against complacency, stressing that the decision should be a stepping stone for broader reforms.
"True national security lies not in the expansion of military jurisdiction, but in strict adherence to constitutional principles and the rule of law," Ssemakadde asserted.
The organisation has committed to closely monitoring the implementation of the judgment, offering legal support to affected civilians, and working with Parliament and civil society to ensure further legislative reforms are carried out.
