Uganda Law Society Recognizes Rwakafuuzi for Advocacy Against Military Courts
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has handed its Radical New Bar Demilitarization Award to Senior Advocate Ladislaus Kiiza Rwakafuuzi for his tireless efforts in fighting for an independent and demilitarized judiciary in Uganda.
The citation, presented by ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde, recognizes Rwakafuuzi’s lifetime commitment to defending the rights of the most vulnerable in society. Rwakafuuzi, now 63 years old, has dedicated his entire legal career to standing up against the trial of civilians in military courts, a practice that has ravaged communities across Uganda.
Ssemakadde who was represented by Lawyer Gorreti Nakamya, the Spokesperson of Radical New Bar Think Tank, praised Rwakafuuzi’s bravery in the face of adversity, noting that his health has faltered, and he has suffered a stroke, but his spirit remains unbroken.
The award, she said, is a testament to Rwakafuuzi’s unwavering commitment to justice and his role in reshaping Uganda’s legal landscape.
Ssemakadde highlighted Rwakafuuzi’s pivotal defense of Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and his numerous co-accused, who faced grave charges of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms before the General Court Martial in November 2005. Through Rwakafuuzi’s momentous leadership of Uganda’s human rights bar, Dr. Besigye secured the transfer of his case to the High Court, establish the landmark precedent on bail.
Ssemakadde also noted that Rwakafuuzi’s defiance of the UPDF Act ignited a beacon of hope for thousands of civilians trapped within the deeply flawed system. Although the battle reached the Supreme Court in Namugerwa Hadijah v. Attorney General (Civil Appeal 4 of 2012), victory remained elusive.
Yet Rwakafuuzi’s persistence ultimately bore fruit in the watershed case of Michael Kabaziguruka v. Attorney General (Constitutional Petition 45 of 2016), where the Constitutional Court finally struck down the practice of trying civilians in military courts as unconstitutional.
Ssemakadde emphasized that Rwakafuuzi’s award is not just a recognition of his past achievements but also a call to action for the Uganda Law Society to pursue his long-overdue appointment as Senior Counsel under the Advocates (Senior Counsel) Regulations 2018.
In his acceptance remarks, Rwakafuuzi expressed his concerns about the state of justice in Uganda, emphasizing the importance of legitimate expectation and the rule of law which he described as the bedrock of justice.
He reflected on his experiences during the overthrow of Idi Amin and the subsequent ‘imposition’ of peace by the National Resistance Army rebels. Rwakafuuzi revealed that he survived a bullet during the tumultuous period in Wandegeya during those days. He however lamented that the people who ushered in that peace have started bouncing it back, saying he is not surprised after all, ushers are also bouncers.
As a seasoned lawyer, Rwakafuuzi shared that he has represented clients in several high-profile cases, including Karugaba Vs Attorney General. He questioned the constitutionality of executing soldiers who robbed and killed an Irish priest, Father Anthony, in Karamoja. Rwakafuuzi stated that he successfully argued the case, and the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the execution was illegal as there was no war in Karamoja during that time that called for a field Marshal to sit and execute someone.
Rwakafuuzi also discussed that the General Court Martial (GCM) was started around 2001and that it was supposed to deal with a crisis that arose from the elections where many people had guns, a crisis he said was created by the Government at that time.
He noted that the late Gen Elly Tumwine was the first Court Martial Chairperson and dismissed some cases that were not fit to be before him, including a case when someone was arrested from a construction site and charged before the Court Martial over robbery of a doorbell.
Here, the frail speaking Rwakafuuzi stated that the late Gen Tumwine dismissed the case and it was later taken to Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court.
Rwakafuuzi expressed his disappointment with the current state of affairs, particularly with regards to the 2021 elections, which were marred by violence and bloodshed. He noted that the elections saw blood on the streets, highlighting the need for free and fair elections.
Additionally, Rwakafuuzi recalled the 2001 elections, which were marked by a lot of thuggery. He criticized the notion that certain weapons, such as star pistols, are a monopoly of the UPDF.
Rwakafuuzi cited the case of Hadija Namugerwa, a relative of Sali Muhammad an accused person whom he represented in the Court Martial, who was found with a star pistol.
He argued that the prosecution’s case relied on the premise that the pistol was a monopoly of the UPDF, which is not supported by law.
According to Rwakafuuzi, this is not the case, as pistols can be licensed for civilian use. Rwakafuuzi drew a distinction between pistols and military equipment like tanks and grenades, which should indeed be a monopoly of the Defense Forces. He said that for sure if a person is found with a tank or a grenade at least, the Court Martial can try him.
Rwakafuuzi has called upon all people to come together to support the rule of law and ensure that legal processes are followed to prevent abuse of power and protect citizens’ rights to avoid taking the nation back to war.
ULS awards history
Recently, the Bar withdrew its award which they had given to Justice Musa Ssekaana of the High Court Civil Division after they accused him of professional misconduct.
The Demilitarization Award to Rwakafuuzi comes at a time when the Supreme Court is on January 31st 2025 expected to deliver judgement in the case that will determine whether civilians should continue to be tried in the General Court Martial or not. The decision will arise from an appeal filed by the Government against former MP Michael Kabaziguruka who successfully challenged his treachery trial in the General Court Martial.
Uganda Law Society Recognizes Rwakafuuzi for Advocacy Against Military Courts
By Amiri Wabusimba. Ugandan government’s rollout of digital number plates is hailed as a modern solution to the country’s growing vehicle-related crime rates. Promising enhanced security and better traffic management, the initiative aims to introduce a centralized system for vehicle tracking. However, the effectiveness of this new technology remains uncertain, with concerns emerging over its reliability, implementation, and potential loopholes that criminals could exploit.
One of the most pressing concerns is how digital number plates compare to well-established private vehicle tracking systems. Unlike privately installed GPS trackers, which are discreetly embedded within vehicles and powered by robust energy sources, digital plates rely on external placement, making them vulnerable to tampering. The question remains: will these new plates provide the same level of security and efficiency, or are they simply an additional bureaucratic measure with limited practical application?
In Uganda, privately run vehicle tracking services have demonstrated significant success in recovering stolen vehicles and preventing crime. Advanced GPS technology allows for real-time monitoring, even in remote areas, ensuring that a vehicle remains traceable regardless of attempts to remove its identifiers. In contrast, digital number plates are externally attached, making them susceptible to theft or removal. If a criminal removes the plate, will law enforcement still be able to track the vehicle effectively?
A major concern among community is the ease with which digital plates can be removed or swapped. Uganda has a history of criminals stealing or altering number plates to evade the law. If the digital plates do not come with built-in anti-tampering mechanisms, such as real-time alerts when they are removed, their effectiveness in crime prevention could be severely compromised.Additionally, technical questions remain. Will the plates be integrated with a centralized, foolproof monitoring system capable of detecting unauthorized interference in real time? If a vehicle’s plate is altered, will it trigger an immediate alert, or will law enforcement only discover the issue after a crime has already occurred? Without a reliable failsafe, digital plates could suffer from the same inefficiencies that have plagued Uganda’s CCTV surveillance network.
Several countries have successfully implemented digital number plate initiatives, with promising results. In the United Arab Emirates, smart plates with built-in tracking features provide real-time location data, detect traffic violations, and automatically alert authorities to suspicious activity. In South Africa, the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system was instrumental in the swift arrest of criminals involved in the 2007 assassination of reggae icon Lucky Dube. Authorities were able to track the getaway vehicle within minutes, demonstrating the life-saving potential of well-implemented technology.
However, Uganda’s previous experience with large-scale security technology raises doubts about whether the country is ready for such a system. The national CCTV surveillance project, despite its promise, has suffered from poor maintenance, faulty equipment, and inadequate monitoring. High-profile crimes continue to occur, often with little assistance from the very system designed to prevent them. Will digital number plates follow the same path, or can Uganda learn from past mistakes to build a truly effective solution?
For Uganda’s digital number plate initiative to be successful, it must be more than just a standalone technology it needs to be part of a well-integrated, multi-layered security strategy. Authorities should consider a hybrid approach that combines digital plates with hidden GPS tracking, biometric security features, and anti-tampering sensors. This would create a more resilient system capable of detecting and preventing criminal activities in real time.
Moreover, investment in proper infrastructure, routine system upgrades, and comprehensive law enforcement training will be essential to ensuring that digital plates achieve their intended purpose. If implemented correctly, this initiative has the potential to transform road security, curb vehicle-related crimes, and restore public confidence in Uganda’s ability to leverage technology for national safety.
As Uganda prepares for the full rollout full of digital number plates, one critical question remains: will this system be a groundbreaking innovation or just another costly government project destined to fail? Only time and the effectiveness of its implementation will tell.
Amiri Wabusimba is a diplomatic Scholar, Journalist, political analyst and Human Right activist. Tel: +56775103895 email: [email protected].
Uganda’s Digital Number Plate Initiative: A Game-Changer or Another Costly Misstep?
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Dr Kizza Besigye will only leave prison in a coffin, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba has said, describing the former personal doctor of his father and bush war hero as a “traitor.”
In a message shared by his public relations and information manager, Colonel Chris Magezi, on X, Muhoozi – who is also the Chief of Defence Forces – stated that the only other option for Besigye to walk out of Luzira alive is if he apologises to President Museveni.
“The traitor Besigye will only leave prison in two ways,” the chilling post says. “Either in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him, or on his knees apologising to Mzee.”
This is not the first time Muhoozi has vowed death for Besigye. Earlier in January, before his X account went silent, he posted that the military could execute Besigye on Heroes Day, June 9.
These chilling declarations come after the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on Friday, which declared that the General Court Martial lacks the constitutional authority to try civilians, ordering an immediate halt to all such proceedings.
On Monday, the military court in Makindye did not produce Besigye, leading his lawyers in what now looks to have been a wild goose chase around the Prisons Headquarters in Kampala to engage with Dr Johnston Byabashaija, the chief jail-man.
The landmark Supreme Court ruling not only quashed the trial of all civilians but also ordered their release.
However, the situation looked grim hours after the ruling when Col Magezi, in what appeared to be a post by his master, declared that the General Court Martial would continue trying Dr Besigye despite the highest court in the land ruling against military trials for civilians.
“The GENERAL COURT MARTIAL will continue to try ANYONE who conspires to MURDER THE PRESIDENT, commits ARMED REBELLION against Uganda, and engages in TERRORISM against the PEOPLE OF UGANDA,” Magezi said.
“Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will Colonel Kizza Besigye be RELEASED until he faces the FULL EXTENT of MARTIAL LAW.”
The defiance of the Supreme Court ruling by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has raised alarm among legal experts and civil society, triggering concerns about the erosion of judicial independence.
Critics argue that disregarding Supreme Court authority sets a dangerous precedent, reinforcing fears of unchecked military influence in governance.
In 2022, President Museveni remarked that he had named his son ‘Muhoozi,’ a name he said meant “Avenger,” signaling that anyone who hurts him (Museveni) would face his son’s wrath.
Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, tension is mounting as legal experts warn that continued defiance could deepen Uganda’s constitutional crisis.
Meanwhile, at the military court in Makindye, the trial of opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale was abruptly put on hold on Monday after the Supreme Court halted all cases involving civilians.
The decision follows the ruling, which declared that the court martial lacks the constitutional authority to try civilians.
Sources revealed that despite the ruling, hearings for Besigye and others would be rescheduled, with court officials still analyzing the judgment’s implications.
Lawyers for Besigye, including Ernest Kalibbala and Fredrick Mpanga, arrived at the court martial only to be turned away.
“On prompting, counsel Mpanga revealed that soldiers who denied him access to court premises told him the court had no proceedings today,” reporter Shamim Nabakooza reported.
Despite the judgment, there were indications that the hearings would continue in the following week, with officials seeking guidance from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces’ High Command on how to proceed.
The ruling, delivered by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo on January 31, marked a significant victory for human rights defenders who have long criticized the military court’s role in prosecuting civilians.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the Constitution only grants military tribunals jurisdiction over serving soldiers, deeming the practice of trying civilians in military courts incompatible with the principles of a democratic society governed by the rule of law.
Despite these findings, the UPDF, led by Colonel Magezi, has expressed its resolve to continue military trials for civilians, further complicating the tense political landscape.
President Museveni, reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision, dismissed it with laughter, asserting that Uganda is not governed by judges alone.
“We are not ruled by judges,” he said, signaling his administration’s potential resistance to the Supreme Court’s directive.
The suspension of hearings has left the fate of high-profile cases, including that of Besigye, in limbo. The ongoing standoff between the military and the judiciary could have profound consequences for Uganda’s democracy.
Muhoozi Vows Besigye Will Only Leave Prison “In a Coffin or on His Knees”
