The Parliamentary Committees on Legal Affairs and Defence and Internal Affairs have officially begun examining the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025. The joint scrutiny follows the bill’s first reading in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, which comes in the wake of a recent judicial ruling concerning the prosecution of civilians in military courts.
Officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the Attorney General are appearing before the committees to defend and clarify the proposed legislation. Leading the presentation is Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, accompanied by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
The joint committee sessions are aimed at evaluating the implications and justifications of the proposed changes to the UPDF Act, with particular focus on how they align with constitutional provisions and recent legal interpretations regarding the jurisdiction of military tribunals over civilians.
The deliberations mark a key step in Parliament’s legislative process as lawmakers seek to ensure that the amended law upholds justice, strengthens national security, and reflects current legal realities.
