Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has defended the trial of civilians in military courts amidst backlash over the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. The 68-year-old politician, who has been a fierce rival of Museveni for decades, was abducted in Kenya last month and brought to Uganda, where he faces charges of possessing pistols and attempting to acquire weapons abroad. Besigye denies the accusations and has objected to being tried in a military court, arguing for a civilian trial instead.
Museveni, 80, stated that crimes involving firearms must be dealt with swiftly to maintain national stability, explaining that civilian courts are overwhelmed and too slow. He credited military courts with contributing to Uganda’s peace, despite the Constitutional Court ruling against trying civilians in such courts. Besigye, who has contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, is now set to spend Christmas in custody as his trial has been delayed to January.
Rights groups and activists have criticized Uganda’s use of military courts for civilians, calling it a violation of due process. Human Rights Watch and the UN’s human rights chief have urged the Ugandan government to end the practice, which they say targets political opposition. Museveni, however, maintains that military trials are essential for stabilizing the country.
