Bobi Wine Slams Military Trials as Illegal, Hails Supreme Court Ruling

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National Unity Platform President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, has hailed the Supreme Court’s decision to outlaw the trial of civilians in military courts.

In a statement released on January 31, 2025, Kyagulanyi described the ruling as a victory for justice, arguing that the military courts have long been used as a tool of persecution against government critics. He noted that since 2020, over 2,000 supporters of his National Unity Platform (NUP) have been abducted, tortured, and subjected to what he called “sham military trials.”

The opposition leader also welcomed the court’s directive that all pending cases involving soldiers, which should be handled by civil courts, must be transferred accordingly. He emphasised that justice should be impartial, extending not only to civilians but also to military officers who deserve fair trials under an independent judicial system.

Kyagulanyi further urged the judiciary to uphold the rule of law consistently, saying this ruling should mark the beginning of a truly independent justice system in Uganda.

In his statement, Kyagulanyi reiterated his call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including opposition figures such as Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, along with several detained NUP supporters.

He emphasised that every small victory matters in the broader struggle for justice and democracy in Uganda.

Below is Bobi Wine’s full statement:

STATEMENT ON THE SUPREME COURT DECISION OUTLAWING THE TRIAL OF CIVILIANS BY MILITARY COURTS

31 January 2025

We welcome today’s Supreme Court ruling stopping the trial of civilians by the military courts-martial. For years, we have condemned these inherently unfair trials, which have been a key weapon of persecution wielded by the regime against its opponents. Since 2020, over 2,000 NUP supporters have been abducted, tortured and subjected to sham military trials.

Today’s judgment vindicates the cries of thousands who have been suffering illegal prosecution before these kangaroo courts and reaffirms what we have always said—civilians must be tried by civilians.

We also welcome the Court’s directive that all pending cases against soldiers, which should rightfully be tried in civil courts, must be transferred to those courts. This issue is critical because even serving army officers deserve fair trials under a transparent and independent judicial system. No one—civilian or soldier—should be subjected to a sham judicial process.

We hope that this ruling, which came as a pleasant surprise to the vast majority of citizens, is the first step for the judiciary to cleanse its image, which has been over time grossly soiled by its inability to hold true to the tenets of judicial independence and impartiality. The judiciary must prove that today’s decision is not an exception to the norm but the beginning of consistent and impartial justice for all Ugandans. Ugandans deserve a judiciary that upholds constitutional supremacy and the rule of law at all times, regardless of who is going to be affected by the outcome of the decision made.

We reiterate our call for the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Dr. Kizza Besigye and his colleague, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, as well as the National Unity Platform prisoners of conscience who include Agaba Anthony (Bobi Young), Yasin Ssekitoleko (Machete), Kato Umar, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, Umar Kato, Kavuma Musa, Jimmy Galukande, Gibusiwa Abdallah and countless others who remain behind bars.

Aluta continua. Uganda will be free! Every small victory along the way matters.

KYAGULANYI SSENTAMU ROBERT

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