People’s opinions after the passing of UPDF (amendment) Bill 2025 by Parliament

24 May 2025, 12:54 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

Under Article 79 clause (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Parliament is mandated to make laws on any matter of the peace, order, development and good governance of Uganda. It is against this background that early this week, members of Parliament, passed the UPDF amendment Bill 2025. However, majority of the people blamed their legislators for not consulting them, yet they are are supposed to represent their views on any matter of national importance.

Kaggwa Ismail, a trader and resident in Kampala central division, raised concerns about how the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (Amendment) Bill 2025 was debated and passed. “I am disappointed in our Parliament for passing such an important Bill without consulting us who voted for them. I think we needed to be heard as citizens of this country. Uganda is our motherland and whatever happens, good or bad, effects us in one way or the other. I thank my representative, Hon. Muhammad Nsereko who tried to request Parliament to reject some clause, but he was defeated. He at least did something,” he said.

It should be noted that during the debate, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kampala central division, Hon. Muhammad Nsereko, said that clause 38 should be rejected as it will have the effect of granting the general court martial an equal status with the High Court, which according to Nsereko, it is unconstitutional. The speaker, who was presiding over the session, Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among, put the question, and Hon. Nsereko lost. He was not the only one who lost, but also Erute South MP, Jonathan Odur, wanted the names of historical figures removed from the Bill, saying that the country has since moved from the 1986 scenario. The question was put and he lost.

Olivia Byatuhaire, a dealer in children’s outfits in Kampala, said that she is not against the bill, but she wanted her thoughts to be represented on the follow of Parliament by her MP Kawalya Abubaker. “I am not against the bill, but I think Parliament rushed. Why didn’t they create enough time for consultations like they did on age limit? Truthfully we needed that Bill, but our inputs as common citizens are missing. Next time, Parliament should consider that,” she said.

Meanwhile, during his Parish Development Model (PDM), regional tour, in Luwero district , President Yoweri Museveni congratulated the members of Parliament for passing the Bill, saying that there was going to be a serious problem because some people according to the president, were saying that if a soldier does commit a crime such as killing a person, involving in theft or rapes a woman, they should be taken to civilian court instead of court martial. “Those who were involved have to repent. There was going to be a serious coalition between the Army, Parliament, and the courts of law, but have saved us the embarrassment. I want to congratulate the members of Parliament for passing the Bill,” he said.

Other people who raised their concerns regarding the Bill, did not agree with the process and most of them agree with the actions of the opposition members of Parliament for moving out of parliament during the session when the Bill was being passed. Led by their leader, Hon. Joel Senyonyi. “We have made every effort to try and appeal to the reason of the speaker and she failed. We have taken a decision to go to court on this matter,” Senyonyi said. This Bill will become law after the president has signed it. The minority report was read by Hon.Odur Johnathan.