Parliament is set to table the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025 on Tuesday May 13. The Bill seeks to reintroduce the trial of civilians in military courts just months after the Supreme Court ruled the practice unconstitutional.

The bill will be presented on the floor of Parliament by the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, Jacob Oboth Oboth.

In January 2025, the Supreme Court made a landmark ruling declaring that military courts lack the jurisdiction to try civilians. The court found that such trials violate the right to a fair hearing, enshrined in the Constitution, and ordered the immediate transfer of all civilian cases from the military to civilian courts. The decision was hailed by human rights groups as a victory for due process and judicial independence.

However, the UPDF Amendment Bill, 2025 aims to reverse this decision by providing exceptions under which civilians can again be prosecuted by military tribunals. According to the proposed legislation, civilians could face military trial for offenses such as unlawful possession of military weapons, espionage, and other acts deemed a direct threat to the operations or security of the UPDF.

The government argues that the Bill is necessary for national security and that some civilian offenses directly undermine the country’s military operations, making it appropriate for military courts to handle such matters. Officials claim that the proposed amendments will include safeguards to ensure that the rights of accused persons are protected, even in military proceedings.

But critics say the timing and content of the Bill suggest an attempt to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and roll back hard-won civil liberties. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have raised alarm, warning that the amendment could be used to target government critics and suppress political dissent.

Opposition leaders are also wary. Past instances have seen figures like Dr. Kizza Besigye and other activists charged in military courts under questionable circumstances. Following the Supreme Court ruling, many of these cases were transferred to civilian courts, but the proposed Bill could potentially allow for their return to military jurisdiction.

Legal scholars and civil society groups have called on Parliament to reject the Bill, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent by circumventing the highest court’s ruling. They argue that any legal reform must prioritize respect for the Constitution and fundamental rights, particularly the right to a fair trial.

The Uganda Police Force has issued a comprehensive advisory to ensure the safety and security of thousands of pilgrims expected to travel to Namugongo for the annual religious celebration.

Speaking ahead of the event, Uganda Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma emphasized that Martyrs’ Day is more than just a one-day observance.

“This day is not a single event. It involves a series of activities in the lead-up to the main celebration,” said Kituuma.

“Pilgrims travel on foot from various regions of Uganda and neighbouring countries to Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrine, often making stopovers at churches, schools, and community centres along the way.”

The pilgrimage attracts both local and international visitors, bringing with it a surge in economic activity around the shrines. Vendors sell food, religious items, offer accommodation, and provide transportation services. However, police warn that this environment can also draw criminal elements.

“Such a large gathering and the associated business opportunities can attract individuals with criminal intent,” Kituuma cautioned.

Police say the massive influx of people requires well-coordinated crowd control and public safety measures. Traffic congestion remains a top concern during the celebrations.

“We therefore urge motorists to exercise caution and consideration for other road users, while we also advise pilgrims to remain vigilant, particularly in heavy traffic,” he said.

“We shall have traffic diversions; therefore, road users are asked to be patient with these temporary inconveniences.”

Child safety is also a priority for law enforcement. In previous years, many children have been reported lost during the festivities.

“We usually have the risk of children getting lost in the crowds, so parents and guardians are advised this time round to be extra vigilant,” Kituuma urged.

Police further advised pilgrims to maintain communication with their groups and carry some emergency funds in case they get separated or stranded. Medical emergencies are also common during the long treks, and authorities encourage participants to carry identification documents for easier assistance.

Another growing concern is the presence of fraudsters and criminals who take advantage of the large, distracted crowds.

“We have always observed the presence of imposters, such as fake priests, conmen, and impersonators, as well as rowdy youths (Egali) who may target pilgrims for theft, mugging and other criminal activities,” he noted.

To ensure safety, Kituuma confirmed that police, in collaboration with other security agencies, have deployed robust security measures including regular patrols, surveillance systems, and medical response teams.

“Police in collaboration with other security agencies pledge to address these criminal activities decisively. Robust security measures are in place to ensure the security and safety of all participants.”

The Uganda Martyrs’ Day celebrations, held annually at the Namugongo Catholic and Anglican shrines, commemorate 45 Christians who were executed for their faith between 1885 and 1887 under the rule of Kabaka Mwanga II. 

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa has called on African nations to take charge of their economic destiny by adding value to their natural resources and ending the cycle of poverty despite the continent’s abundant wealth.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the 3rd African Regional Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Emerging Global Challenges at the Imperial Resort Beach Hotel in Entebbe on Sunday, Tayebwa questioned why Africa, rich in resources, continues to suffer from underdevelopment.

“From the rainforests of the Congo Basin to Nigeria’s oil fields, Ghana’s gold reserves, Tanzania’s rare earth minerals, and the cobalt riches of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa is abundantly endowed with natural resources. Yet, the continent remains mired in poverty,” he said.

“Why does a land so rich remain so poor? This was the central question I attempted to address.”

Tayebwa pointed out that although Africa holds 60% of the world’s arable land, the continent was severely affected by food shortages following the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine. He attributed this vulnerability to Africa’s continued reliance on exporting raw materials rather than developing local value chains.

“We earn little from our minerals because they are extracted and exported in raw form, without local value addition that could create jobs and wealth at home,” he explained.

In a bold appeal to his fellow legislators, Tayebwa urged them to move beyond the historical blame game and focus on shaping the continent’s economic future.

“I challenged my fellow parliamentarians: it’s time we stopped blaming colonialists more than half a century after independence. We may not be responsible for our past, but we are entirely responsible for our future. We can no longer hide behind the excuse of colonial history.”

He emphasized the need for unity, transparency, and committed leadership to achieve economic transformation, citing successful examples such as Botswana and Ghana, where effective mineral management has delivered real benefits.

Tayebwa also applauded President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s stance on mineral policy.

“I’m glad our President, Kaguta Museveni has made it clear that no minerals will leave Uganda in raw form. This will enable us as a country to get a fair share.”

He concluded by calling for resource revenues to be strictly allocated to critical services, particularly in mining communities.

“Next is to ensure that funds from these natural resources are ring-fenced for specific services, especially infrastructure development, schools, and health facilities starting with communities where these minerals are extracted.”

The conference brought together parliamentarians and policy experts from across the continent to deliberate on strategies to address Africa’s emerging global challenges, including climate change, geopolitical instability and sustainable development.

The European Union Delegation to Uganda hosted Europe Day celebrations at the EU Residence in Kampala on Thursday evening, marking the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration — the founding moment of what has become the world’s most successful peace project.

In his keynote remarks, EU Ambassador Jan Sadek underscored the enduring relevance of European values in today’s world and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to democracy, rule of law, and human rights — both within Europe and globally.

He noted, however, that sadly around the world including sometimes within the EU, and Uganda as well, these values are under strain and said democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and assaults on freedom of expression are all too common. 

The Ambassador welcomed Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, as Guest of Honour, and praised Uganda’s vibrant civil society, dynamic youth, and generous refugee response. At the same time, he raised concerns about recent human rights violations and called for a calm, inclusive lead-up to Uganda’s 2026 elections.

Justice Minister Norbert Mao delivered a significant address at the Europe Day celebrations and underscored the government’s commitment to democratic principles and the necessity of ensuring that all citizens are treated with dignity and fairness under the law.

The EU–Uganda partnership, Ambassador Sadek said, is growing stronger:

Trade reached a record €2 billion in 2024, with Uganda enjoying a positive trade balance;

EU foreign direct investment remains Uganda’s largest;

Team Europe is investing over €750 million annually in development cooperation, supporting green energy, public services, and value chains such as coffee and forestry.

As part of the Global Gateway strategy, Ambassador Sadek highlighted strategic investments in hydropower and infrastructure, while celebrating Uganda’s youth, Erasmus+ scholars, and the outgoing Youth Sounding Board.

In a lighter moment, guests enjoyed music, European cuisine, and a raffle draw for a Brussels Airlines return ticket to the EU capital. The evening ended with a toast to continued peace and prosperity for both the European Union and Uganda.

Europe Day 2025 marked not just a historic anniversary, but also a reaffirmation of shared values and a future-oriented EU–Uganda partnership. Next year’s celebration will coincide with 50 years of diplomatic relations between the EU and Uganda.

Europe Day Speech 2025

H E Mr Jan Sadek, Ambassador of the European Union to Uganda

EU Residence, Kampala, Uganda, 8 May 2025

INTRO

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you are having a good time!

A very warm welcome to the 2025 Europe Day celebrations! We shall now start the official programme here under the European Union starry skies. Together with my wife Anna, and the entire Team at the EU Delegation, I am so glad to see you all in the Residence Garden.

It is an immense pleasure to welcome Honorable Norbert Mao, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as our guest of honour on behalf of the Government of Uganda. He is here with his wife Beatrice – most welcome! I will return to the protocols later when I give my remarks.

First, I would like to highlight my colleagues, the EU Member States Ambassadors. Europe Day is really our day, to remind the world where we come from and what we stand for. On stage, in front of the 27 flags, we have the Ambassadors or their deputies from BE, DE, DK, FR, IE, IT, NL and SE. And the Heads of Office from AT and HU.

Together we are Team Europe! It is also a pleasure to have many EU Member States Honorary Consuls present tonight. The European Union belongs to all its members! Ambassadors, please stay on stage for the Anthems. And please note all the 27 flags also on our tall artists from Famous Friends Acrobatics!

And now I am proud to present Christ the King Catholic Church Choir. Now for the third time in our garden. They will perform the two anthems. We start with the Ugandan, “Oh Uganda, land of beauty”, by George Wilberforce Kakoma, followed by the EU one – “Ode to Joy” – by Ludwig van Beethoven. Please the garden is yours…!

ANTHEMS

Indeed beautiful, many thanks to the 15 men and women strong Choir, a round of applause please!

EUROPE DAY SPEECH

This year, we commemorate a particularly meaningful milestone: the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. On 9 May 1950, in the aftermath of unimaginable destruction, European nations began a bold experiment – not of conquest, but of cooperation.

From the French Minister Robert Schuman’s first idea, the European Union has grown into the world’s most successful peace project – a Union of 27 states built on shared values, common rules, and a promise never to go to war with each other again. Our integration – political, economic, and social – is proof that nations can choose dialogue over dominance, partnership over power.

In today’s turbulent geopolitical landscape, the EU remains strong and united, a global champion for values, democracy and freedom. These are not abstract ideals – they are the foundation of our Union, and the compass that guides both our internal action and our external partnerships.

Sadly, around the world – and yes, sometimes within our own Union – these values are under strain. Democratic backsliding, shrinking civic space, and assaults on freedom of expression are all too common.

We live in a time where global leadership is being redefined. In this shifting landscape, the world needs a European Union that is reliable, predictable, and principled.

We continue to stand firmly with Ukraine. The illegal invasion by Russia – a colonial war in 21st-century clothing – is a stark reminder of why Europe must remain united and vigilant. The Ukrainian flag here is a symbol of Ukraine’s future inside the EU. And our efforts extend beyond Europe as we strive for peace in Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere.

We are a Union that promotes multilateralism, rule of law, and human rights. We are not afraid to speak the truth – even when it is uncomfortable.

This is true also here in Uganda. Over the past months, we have followed developments with concern. We have observed extrajudicial actions by security forces; arbitrary detentions and degrading treatment of political opponents and journalists; and an alarming militarisation of the political sphere. The use of military force against civilians, with apparent impunity, contradicts the principles of the rule of law.

We welcome those official voices in Uganda, including Justice Minister Mao and Chairperson Wangadya of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, have spoken out against such intimidation. We value the independence of the Judiciary and we call on all actors to ensure a calm, inclusive and credible process ahead of the elections in early 2026. The Ugandan people deserve no less.

Excellencies, Honourables, Distinguished Guests, Friends of Europe,

Our partnership with Uganda is broad, deep, and growing stronger. EU-Ugandan trade reached a record 2 billion Euro or 8 Trillion Ugandan Schilling last year – with a trade surplus of EUR 500 million in Uganda’s favour. Ugandan exports to the EU have tripled since we began our regular Business Forums in 2020, and rose by 60% last year alone. That is a remarkable trend. And it shows that partnership pays off!

Thanks to our predictable and tariff-free arrangement, Uganda enjoys full access to the EU market – in sharp contrast to some other partners, where tariffs apply and large trade deficits persist. A balanced and rules-based trade relationship is in everyone’s interest – and the best way to ensure shared prosperity.

Also, the EU remains Uganda’s largest source of foreign direct investment, accounting for nearly half of foreign direct investment inflows. Our companies – many of you are here tonight – believe in Uganda’s potential – in its people, in its markets, and in its future.

Through Team Europe and the Global Gateway, we are investing in Uganda’s green transition – including over 170 million Euro to rehabilitate the Nalubaale and Kiira hydropower dams, through our grants, and loans from the European Investment Bank – EIB – and the French Development Agency. The EIB also has a promising pipeline of other strategic energy and infrastructure projects under consideration.

We are proud of our Forest Partnership, showcased at the exhibition by the entrance. Through our Forest Programme, we are fighting deforestation, and protecting Uganda’s precious ecosystems. Tonight, every guest will leave with a seedling of an indigenous tree. Please take it home and plant it – and let it be a living reminder of our common commitment to a greener planet!

Young people are central to our work. Later this month, we will launch Season 2 of our Youth Sounding Board. But before that, a big thank you to the outgoing members of Season 1. You have raised the voices of young Ugandans, online and offline, and we are proud of your work!

Let me also thank our partners in Uganda’s vibrant civil society and our friends in the media fraternity – you are the voices that help society grow stronger. Next week, we will award the EU Human Rights Defenders Award – a moment to recognise courage and dignity in defence of fundamental rights. In this context, let me again condemn the Anti-Homosexuality Act, it violates human rights and harms Uganda’s image and economy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Uganda remains an important regional player in a complex neighbourhood. The EU recognises Uganda’s contribution to regional stability – through its deployments, including in the DRC and Somalia. The EU is a partner for peace and security!

Uganda’s generosity in hosting refugees remains an example to the world. Through our humanitarian branch ECHO, we are proud to support Uganda’s response, with humanitarian aid, but we also promote livelihoods and resilience. Together with ECHO, I have visited refugee settlements this year, and I am impressed how the increasing influx from the neighbouring countries is managed. We know resources are tight – but we remain committed.

The EU is investing in many other areas too, including the coffee value chain, tourism, and responsible mining. In our largest Team Europe Initiative, we support social services – family planning, education, water and sanitation, and gender equality. All together, Team Europe delivers over 700 million Euro in development assistance to Uganda every year. I could go on forever, but it is time to give the floor to our guest of honour, so I refer you to the overview of our partnership that you can get from the brochure that you will receive on your way out.

Finally, it takes two to tango… so let me thank all our partners, the Government of Uganda, political parties, the private sector, civil society, the culture sphere, the media and implementing partners in all corners of this country – for your engagement and contribution to our partnership. We look forward to continuing working with you all!

I now ask our guest of honour, Honourable Mao to take the floor!

SPEECH OF THE GUEST OF HONOUR

Excellencies, Honorables, Ladies and gentlemen,

Before I release you, I would like to send one of you to Brussels, courtesy of Brussels Airlines, so I hope you have put your business card in the vase. If you have not, you have ten seconds to do so!

Meanwhile, I want to thank all our generous sponsors, starting with our main sponsor, Stanbic Bank Uganda! We enjoy your excellent services every day! And tonight, also your generosity!

I am sure you are enjoying the food and the drinks, and let me here appreciate Nile Breweries and Kakira Spirits, for offering us the best beer and drinks in Uganda. Warm thanks to Carrefour – Majid Al Futtaim Group, and to Mediteraneo Restaurant, to Gorilla Highlands Coffee, Great Lakes Coffee, and Lavazza, and to Equator Chocolate, and Fiber Foods, for contributing to the delicacies here tonight. And also, Fairventures Worldwide and Executive Events for their contributions! Thanks indeed to Sheraton for the beautiful cake that we will share later tonight!

I also want to thank the European Investment Bank and ECHO for their contributions and my friends the European Ambassadors who have contributed Belgian beer, Irish Baileys and Danish/Ugandan Chocolate – very kind of you!

Thanks again to the choir. And finally, let me thank my talented team at the EU Delegation. Thanks to you, the EU has built a strong presence in Uganda. Anna and I thank you and the Residence Team and the staff from many other EU Member States residences who are working here tonight, for all your efforts to create this beautiful Europe Day reception!

And now I greet Rita Macedo from Brussels Airlines, who has generously donated one return ticket to the EU’s capital – Brussels. I will ask Honourable Mao to draw a business card and read the name. Rita will hand over the ticket to the winner. Congratulations! And thanks to Brussels Airlines.

Let us now celebrate this evening with music, laughter, food and drinks and meaningful conversation. And don’t miss to greet our most steadfast European leader of the evening – a life-size cardboard President Ursula von der Leyen. She may not sign autographs – but she’s always up for a selfie!

Also try our selfie mirror and get a memory from tonight. Please visit our exhibition on the forestry and coffee sectors. If you need more energy, why don’t you visit our pool bar and get a beer or an espresso martini.

Welcome back next year – and then we will mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the EU and Uganda!

Please enjoy the evening, while the DJ plays our new EU-Uganda Amapiano Anthem! Long Live the EU-Uganda Partnership!