
DPP Jane Frances Abodo Issues Circular Halting Military Trials of Civilians, Orders Transfer to Civilian Courts Following Supreme Court Ruling
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, has issued a circular to all prosecutors with guidance on implementing the Supreme Court’s judgment that prohibits the trial of civilians in military courts. According to Circular No. 1/2025, the Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered on January 31, 2025, mandates that all charges, ongoing criminal trials, and pending trials involving civilians and UPDF members subject to military service laws must cease immediately.
These cases are to be transferred to civilian courts of competent jurisdiction. To facilitate this transition, DPP Abodo has stated that her office has formed a team of prosecutors who will be on standby to review investigative files and take appropriate action. The circular, a copy of which our reporter has seen, reads, “Top Management has constituted a team of prosecutors on standby who will handle investigative files whenever submitted to review and take appropriate action.”
Sources have indicated that the specific members of the team have not been disclosed for security reasons. The circular further instructs all prosecutors in field stations and departments to seek guidance from the DPP on any investigative files that may require coordinated management.
Last month, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, ruled that all pending or partially heard cases involving civilians before the General Court Martial must be transferred to civil courts with proper jurisdiction.
Following this ruling, the Attorney General informed Parliament on Tuesday that the government is ready to comply and has sought the Chief Justice’s guidance on how the DPP should facilitate the transfer of files. However, President Museveni has expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, stating that Uganda is “not governed by judges but by the people who are adult enough to participate in voting.” Article 92 of the Constitution prohibits Parliament from enacting laws that retroactively alter or overturn judicial decisions in cases that have already been decided.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision, several civilians, including National Unity Platform supporters, lawyer Eron Kiiza, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and Obed Lutaale, who have been facing various charges arising from the Court Martial, have filed applications in the High Court seeking unconditional release. Many of them argue that they remain in prison without valid remand warrants, infringing upon their constitutional rights, such as the right to liberty.
News
NUP Won’t Budge over Illegal Arrests and Abductions – SG David Lewis Rubongoya

The National Unity Platform (NUP) is concerned about the ongoing arrest and detention of its supporters in unknown locations beyond the mandatory 48 hours as stipulated in the law.
This has been raised by the Party’s Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, during a press conference held at the NUP headquarters at Makerere-Kavule, Kawempe Division, as two members of the party’s Elections Management Committee who were allegedly abducted on Tuesday and were released yesterday spoke to the press about their ordeal.
These are; Mercy Walukamba, the Committee’s Chairperson and Rahma Juma, a member of the party’s electoral body.
Rubongoya emphasized that the continued detention of NUP supporters without access to legal representation or communication with their families is a clear violation of their human rights and the constitution of Uganda.
Rubongoya says they are to continue engaging courts in the effort to help their supporters get justice but still urged the Government authorities to revise their thinking and unconditionally release the detainees as soon as possible.
He has accused the authorities of using intimidation and harassment to suppress dissenting voices.
Meanwhile, Walukamba has condemned security forces for abducting and torturing them because of supporting NUP before narrating to journalists what happened during their abduction from Mpigi district on Tuesday.
https://hoimapost.co.ug/nup-wont-budge-over-illegal-arrests-and-abductions-sg-david-lewis-rubongoya/
https://hoimapost.co.ug/nup-wont-budge-over-illegal-arrests-and-abductions-sg-david-lewis-rubongoya/ , hoimapost.co.ug
News
Besigye Wanted To Kill Museveni – Andrew Mwenda

Political analyst Andrew Mwenda has accused imprisoned opposition stalwart Dr. Kiiza Besigye of conspiring to murder President Museveni.
Mwenda contends that the alleged actions of Besigye should have warranted a death sentence.
Mwenda made the remarks during a heated exchange with Kira Municipality MP, Ssemujju Nganda on NBS Television’s political show, The Frontline, regarding Besigye’s continued detention at Luzira Prison.
Besigye has been incarcerated since November of last year after being picked from Kenya while attending the launch of Martha Karua’s book. He would later be presented before the general court martial in Makindye on charges of treachery and illegal possession of ammunition.
It should be noted that shortly after his arrest, audio clips surfaced on social media, allegedly featuring Besigye discussing activities that “threaten” national security and plans to seize power.
However, these recordings have yet to be presented as evidence in court regarding the accusations against Besigye.
During a discussion on the Frontline, Mwenda emphasized that the evidence in the alleged audio recordings is substantial, accusing Besigye and his supporters, particularly Ssemujju, of downplaying this evidence in their calls for Besigye’s release.
Mwenda asserted that Besigye had conspired to unlawfully take control of the government by assassinating the President.
He stated that if he were in Museveni’s position, he would use the evidence from the audio recordings as justification for executing Besigye.
“Besigye was plotting to murder Museveni. Museveni is a human being. If I were in Museveni’s shoes, I would not even have that man (Besigye) alive because he doesn’t believe in a process. There’s a process of removing government. He doesn’t believe in that process. So he’s subject to the law which he has violated.” Mwenda said.
He questioned why Ssemujju and Besigye were not addressing the nature of Besigye’s alleged plot.
There had been rumours that the alleged audio recordings included a conversation between Besigye and an unidentified British individual regarding weapons.
However, Besigye’s team, including his wife Winnie Byanyima, has since refuted these claims, with others insisting that the audio recordings were manipulated using AI.
https://hoimapost.co.ug/besigye-wanted-to-kill-museveni-andrew-mwenda/
https://hoimapost.co.ug/besigye-wanted-to-kill-museveni-andrew-mwenda/ , hoimapost.co.ug
News
4.5 million stolen : NUP Accuses Security Forces of Theft During Raid on Party Offices

The leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has accused security operatives of stealing money from their offices during a search conducted by joint security forces on Wednesday.
The security operation targeted the NUP offices in Kamwokya and the party’s headquarters in Kavule. According to police spokesperson Rusoke Kituma, the search was carried out in response to reports of “military drills” allegedly being conducted at the party premises.
Addressing the media at the Kamwokya offices, Doreen Kaijja, the coordinator of the NUP Leadership School, claimed that security personnel not only vandalized office property but also took money found within the premises.
“They took Shs 2 million from the office,” Kaijja stated. “Another Shs 2.5 million was taken from our shop.”
NUP leaders have condemned the operation, describing it as an act of robbery rather than a legitimate security search. They argue that the raid is part of a continued crackdown on opposition activities in the country.
The police have yet to respond to the allegations of theft.
However, security agencies have previously defended similar operations, arguing they are conducted within the bounds of the law to prevent subversive activities.
https://hoimapost.co.ug/4-5-million-stolen-nup-accuses-security-forces-of-theft-during-raid-on-party-offices/
https://hoimapost.co.ug/4-5-million-stolen-nup-accuses-security-forces-of-theft-during-raid-on-party-offices/ , hoimapost.co.ug
-
News5 hours ago
NUP Won’t Budge over Illegal Arrests and Abductions – SG David Lewis Rubongoya
-
News10 hours ago
A Fight Bigger Than Football: Let’s Save Martin “Nabutono” Nsubuga.
-
News5 hours ago
Besigye Wanted To Kill Museveni – Andrew Mwenda
-
News6 hours ago
Kamoga Stole My Land Title-DJ Suuna Cry For Justice At Mother’s Burial
-
News5 hours ago
4.5 million stolen : NUP Accuses Security Forces of Theft During Raid on Party Offices
-
News6 hours ago
Police Confirm Conducting Raid on NUP Headquarters
-
News6 hours ago
Police and Military Storm NUP Headquarters in Surprise Raid
-
News6 hours ago
Faithful Protest: Godfrey Turyamubona Stands with Bible Against Detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye in Western Uganda