The President of Uganda who is also the Commander in Chief of all Armed Forces Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has clarified that trial of civilians in the Court Martial ic correct and useful since it has contributed to the stabilization of Uganda.
The president made the clarification in the statement he released to the public on this matter which has been in the public domain following the arrest of the four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale how through their lawyers led by Erias Lukwago Strongly oppose being tried the military court martial as civilians.
“I have seen the arguments in the papers by some lawyers regarding the correctness of some civilians being tried in the Court Martial. I want to affirm that, that move was correct and useful and it has contributed to the stabilization of Uganda. Why? It is the NRM that in the year 2005 enacted this law through Parliament. This was because of the rampant activities of criminals and terrorists that were using guns to kill people indiscriminately. The civilian courts were clogged with the many court cases of the whole country: murders, rape, assaults, robbery, land matters, divorce matters etc., etc. They could, therefore, not handle these gun wielding criminals quickly. Yet, for stabilization you need speed”.Gen Museveni said.
Moreover, these individuals, although not soldiers, voluntarily and with evil intentions acquired killing instruments that should be the monopoly of the Armed Forces, governed by the relevant laws.
Indeed, Uganda and many parts of Africa were and, in some cases are still, disturbed by these unprincipled actors.
This is why that law provided that since you became a “soldier,” albeit an illegal one, be tried by a court-martial because it is the one that deals with guns.
Besides, the court martial courts’ system is a subordinate one to the general courts of the whole country.
President Museveni said that if the Court Martial judged badly, the superior courts will rectify the issue.
The advantage is that, in the meantime, these dangerous actors are legally being fed, medically treated by the State and are kept away from harming people.
It is also good for the lawbreakers because that dangerous enterprise of theirs of killing People, can lead to their own deaths in the encounters with peace and law protection agencies.He clarified.
