The concerned citizens of Luweero Triangle
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I President Yoweri Museveni hailed members of Parliament for passing the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025, adding that there was going to be a serious problem because some people were saying if a soldier does commit a crime such as killing a person, involving in theft or rapes a woman, they should be taken to the sub county (civilian courts) instead of the court martial.
“Those who were involved have to repent. There was going to be a serious collision between the army, parliament, and the courts of law, but they have saved us the embarrassment,” he said.
Parliament on 20th May, 2025, passed the UPDF Amendment Bill, which expands military courts’ authority to try civilians under specific conditions, such as possession of military equipment or collaboration with military personnel in serious crimes like treason or murder.
While addressing a leaders’ meeting at Timnah Nursery and Primary school in Mabaale village, Luwero district on Wednesday, May 21st 2025, Museveni said that when they came from the bush, they decided that even the person who is not a soldier and decides to use a gun to perform a crime, were to be charged in the army courts.
Clean politics
Museveni noted that it’s because of this strong resolve, and practicing what he termed as clean politics since 1986 that Uganda has remained peaceful and now focused on wealth creation.
“We told you that among the main pillars of development are peace in the country because, as you hear, many countries around us are rich in minerals and oil, but they don’t have peace, and many of their people are here in Uganda as refugees. We now have 1,800,000 people as refugees here in Uganda,” he noted.
He urged the citizens to understand prioritization in public administration by knowing what is crucial and immediate, adding that, whereas development is needed, wealth creation should come first, through commercial agriculture, services, ICT, and Manufacturing.
He warned against land fragmentation, describing it as a hindrance to wealth creation.
“I had my neighbor in Kisozi. He was a very rich man with four square miles of land and 500 cows. When he died, the children just divided, and that huge estate disappeared. And some of the children sold their share. So, this is very dangerous. If that happens to every generation, what will happen to the remaining families?” he wondered, adding that the modern way is to divide and still use the land collectively and share profits. He gave an example of Hajjat Mariam Baiga’s family in Ssekamuli, Bamunanika, which has succeeded in collective investment.
The President said if the Shs100 million PDM support per parish is well managed, Ugandans will have their own Parish Banks worth 1.8 billion in 10 years but was quick to warn those mismanaging the funds by giving selectively to family members and friends.
