President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has commended Parliament for passing the UPDF Amendment Bill, 2025, which provides for armed civilian murder suspects to be tried in the General Court Martial.
Speaking during a meeting with leaders from the Greater Luwero area at Timnah Nursery and Primary School in Mabaale Village, Luwero Town, President Museveni said that Members of Parliament who supported the bill saved the country from a looming crisis that could have seen both armed civilians and errant soldiers escape justice.
“Those who voted in favor of the amendment rescued Uganda from shielding armed murderers—whether civilians or soldiers—from prosecution,” he said. The President criticized those opposed to the bill, accusing them of meddling in army matters and endangering national stability.
“Let those opposing this amendment leave military affairs to the rightful authorities. They owe the country an apology for trying to lure it into chaos,” Museveni added.
He emphasized that civilians who use firearms to commit murder effectively submit themselves to military law and should be dealt with accordingly under martial law.
The President made the remarks while assessing the progress of the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative in Luwero and surrounding districts. The meeting is part of his ongoing nationwide evaluation tour of government poverty alleviation programs.