The General Court Martial has roared back to life, opening its doors to soldiers facing serious charges ranging from murder and kidnapping to desertion and escaping custody. The court’s revival comes after a long pause that left a backlog of high-profile military cases hanging in limbo. At the center of this revival is Brigadier General […]
The General Court Martial has roared back to life, opening its doors to soldiers facing serious charges ranging from murder and kidnapping to desertion and escaping custody. The court’s revival comes after a long pause that left a backlog of high-profile military cases hanging in limbo.
At the center of this revival is Brigadier General Richard Tukachungurwa, the newly appointed Chairperson of the General Court Martial. The seasoned officer, who previously served as Judge Advocate, was sworn in alongside the reconstituted court on January 7, 2026, at the Supreme Court premises in Kampala. His appointment signals a fresh chapter for military justice in Uganda.
The court is now operating under the UPDF (Amendment) Act, 2025, which overhauled military justice, creating a three-tier system ,Unit, Division, and General Courts Martial and clearly defining how both soldiers and, in rare cases, civilians can be tried. The amendments also set higher standards for judges and officers, requiring the General Court Martial chairperson to meet qualifications equivalent to a High Court judge.
Under the revised law, military courts can now try civilians in narrowly defined “exceptional circumstances,” including offenses related to national security or aiding soldiers in criminal acts. Decisions from Unit and Division courts can be appealed up the military chain and ultimately in civilian courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, aligning military proceedings with national legal standards.
The legal shake-up follows the January 31, 2025 Supreme Court ruling in Attorney General v Kabaziguruka, which found that the old military courts lacked independence and could not try civilians. The new amendments aim to close these gaps and ensure due process.
However, the revival is already sparking controversy. Veteran opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-petitioner Hajj Obed Lutale have filed a constitutional petition challenging the 2025 UPDF amendments. Submitted on February 11, 2026, the petition claims Parliament rushed the law through, ignored public consultation, and disregarded the Supreme Court’s previous ruling restricting military jurisdiction over civilians.
