As Parliament Defies Supreme Court on Military Trials, Victims of Past and Present Abuses Demand Accountability
A Legacy of Unresolved Abuses
In 1996, Uganda’s NRM regime established the Odoki Commission to investigate human rights violations since independence. Yet, nearly three decades later, the same Parliament that pledged to uphold justice has passed a law allowing civilians to be tried in military courts—a move critics call a “slide into dictatorship.” This contradiction underscores a painful truth: Uganda’s commitment to human rights remains selective, with past injustices overshadowed by present repression.
1. The Odoki Commission: A Promise Betrayed
The Commission of Inquiry into Violations of Human Rights (CIVHR), formed in 1986, documented atrocities under Amin and Obote and recommended reforms such as establishing the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC). However, its 1994 report was never made public, and key recommendations—such as repealing draconian laws—were ignored.
Expert Insight:
> “The Odoki Commission was a missed opportunity. Burying its report allowed impunity to fester, paving the way for today’s abuses,” says Dr. Sarah Bireete, Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance.
2. 1996 vs. 2025: From Flawed Elections to Military Courts
In 1996, the U.S. State Department noted Uganda’s “flawed” elections and NRM dominance but acknowledged some progress in human rights. Fast-forward to 2025: Parliament’s UPDF (Amendment) Bill defies a Supreme Court ruling barring military trials for civilians, citing “exceptional circumstances”—a phrase critics argue is dangerously vague.
Key Concerns:
Politicized Prosecutions: The bill could target dissenters, journalists, and opposition figures under the guise of “military-related offences.”
Judicial Overreach: Military courts lack independence; judges are appointed by the Commander-in-Chief (President Museveni).
Opposition MP Moses Okot (FDC):
> “This is a reincarnation of a law struck down by the Supreme Court. It’s contempt of court and an assault on the Constitution.”
3. Parallels in Repression: Then and Now
1996: Security forces (UPDF, LDUs) committed extrajudicial killings and torture with impunity.
2025: Abductions, military tribunals, and anti-LGBTQ+ laws echo past tactics—now institutionalized.
Human Rights Advocate:
> “The same regime that investigated Amin’s crimes now replicates them. The UHRC’s 1997 findings on torture and illegal detention read like today’s headlines.”
4. The International Community’s Role
Uganda’s donors fund 51% of its budget, yet remain muted as rights erode. The 1996 Amnesty International report urged action against sedition laws and torture—a call still relevant today.
Call to Action:
Donor Accountability: Tie aid to tangible reforms, such as releasing the CIVHR report and repealing the UPDF Bill.
Global Solidarity: Pressure Kampala to comply with the Supreme Court’s 2021 ruling.
Conclusion: Justice Delayed, Justice Denied
MP Katuntu’s plea to “address partisan interests” rings hollow while Parliament legalizes militarized justice. Uganda’s cycle of impunity will only break when:
1. The Odoki Report is made public.
2. Military courts are barred from trying civilians.
3. The UHRC’s powers are enforced—not ignored.
Final Quote:
> “A nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat it. Uganda must choose: Will it be a beacon of justice or a case study in repression?” — Anonymous Ugandan Human Rights Lawyer
Engage Further: Share your stories using #JusticeForUganda. The world is watching.
Sources: U.S. State Department (1996), Amnesty International, HRW, Uganda Parliament Records, and CSVR archives.
The post Uganda’s Contradiction: From Odoki’s Unfinished Justice to Military Tribunals for Civilians appeared first on The Hoima Post –.
https://hoimapost.co.ug/ugandas-contradiction-from-odokis-unfinished-justice-to-military-tribunals-for-civilians/
https://guqs.thrymplexar.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=289077&previous_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhoimapost.co.ug%2Fugandas-contradiction-from-odokis-unfinished-justice-to-military-tribunals-for-civilians%2F , hoimapost.co.ug
https://hoimapost.co.ug/ugandas-contradiction-from-odokis-unfinished-justice-to-military-tribunals-for-civilians/ , https://guqs.thrymplexar.shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=289077&previous_url=https%3A%2F%2Fhoimapost.co.ug%2Fugandas-contradiction-from-odokis-unfinished-justice-to-military-tribunals-for-civilians%2F ,
hoimapost.co.ug , https%3A%2F%2Fhoimapost.co.ug%2Fugandas-contradiction-from-odokis-unfinished-justice-to-military-tribunals-for-civilians%2F