Addressing journalists after the hearing of Eddie Mutwe's case last year. Eddie Mutwe was charged ...
Military law that we allude to here is the criminal procedures, laws and regulations designed to secure military discipline among members of the defense forces. The police have their own tribunal; and rests of us have the ordinary (civil) courts.
Military people who commit service offences, however, have to face courts martial including General Court Martial, Division Court Martial and Unit Disciplinary Committees. There is also a field court martial.
In Uganda, though contrary to international legal norms, international human rights law; and most especially Article 28 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution, military courts still try civilians under the pretext that they are found in possession of weapons such as guns that in the ordinary monopoly of the armed forces. Nice military jargon. Wrong legal interpretation.
Yet, for as long as people including civilians are facing military trials, we have the capacity to represent them and fight for their legal and human rights.