The Ugandan government has officially tabled the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill 2024, a landmark piece of legislation that seeks to reshape the country’s military structure and judicial processes.
Among the bill’s most notable provisions is the formal recognition of the Special Forces Command (SFC) and the Reserve Forces as additional branches of the UPDF, expanding the military’s composition from three to four distinct forces.
The proposed amendments also aim to establish a Joint Military Command, which will take on key functions previously managed by the High Command, comprising top military officials. This restructuring comes as part of broader efforts to align the UPDF’s organizational structure with Uganda’s national defense policy and to improve coordination within the military.
Currently, the UPDF Act (2005) recognizes three main components of the military: Land Forces, Air Forces, and any additional forces approved by Parliament.
The amendment will add two new forces: the Special Forces Command (SFC) and the Reserve Force, effectively increasing the military’s branches to four.
The SFC, which is widely regarded as the elite unit of the UPDF, has played a pivotal role in Uganda’s military operations, particularly in counter-terrorism and special operations.
The Reserve Force, a voluntary military service, will provide additional manpower during emergencies or national crises.
Section 2 of the UPDF Amendment Act 2005 currently only prescribes Land Forces, Air Forces, and any forces approved by Parliament.
With the amendment, these forces will now include the Special Forces Command and the Reserve Force, bringing the military’s composition in line with current operational realities.
A significant change in the amendment pertains to the UPDF’s judicial system, particularly the role and structure of the Court Martial.
The bill proposes a redefinition of the military disciplinary system by replacing the “Unit Disciplinary Committee” with a more formalized “Unit Court Martial.”
The change would enhance the military court’s mandate, allowing it to handle a broader range of cases, including serious criminal offenses committed by military personnel.
However, the amendment has sparked concern among some sections of the public, who fear it could potentially extend the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians.
The bill outlines the creation of various levels of court martial, including the Unit Court Martial, Division Court Martial, Service Court Martial, General Court Martial, and the Court Martial Appeal Court.
This expanded system will provide a clearer and more structured approach to military justice, but its broader implications for civil-military relations remain uncertain.
Another key provision in the amendment seeks to remove references to members of the UPDF High Command as of January 26, 1986, the date when the National Resistance Army (NRA) overthrew the government of President Milton Obote.
The current Act recognizes those individuals as members of the High Command, but the amendment will eliminate this historical reference on conditions of changing citizenship, conviction on criminal offense and engaging in partisan politics, emphasizing a modernized military leadership structure.
Additionally, the bill calls for the establishment of a Joint Military Command, to be chaired by the Commander of the Defense Forces.
The Joint Command will assume a broader advisory role, helping to guide military strategy and ensuring coordination between the various military services.
This body will be responsible for advising the Commander-in-Chief, approving military plans and estimates, and overseeing the conduct of wars and other major military operations.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces Amendment Bill 2024 has drawn mixed reactions from the public.
While many military experts and government officials have praised the reforms as necessary for improving the efficiency and cohesion of the armed forces, others have raised concerns about the potential concentration of power within the military leadership.
The shift from the High Command to a Joint Military Command, along with the expanded role of the military judiciary, has raised questions about the balance of power between the military and civilian government.
Critics are particularly worried that the military’s increasing influence over national security decisions could lead to greater political control and a weakening of democratic checks and balances.
Some observers have also expressed alarm over the potential impact of the court martial reforms, questioning whether military tribunals could start to infringe upon civilian rights.
The possibility that military courts might gain jurisdiction over civilian cases remains a contentious issue, though government officials have denied any intention to extend military jurisdiction beyond active-duty personnel.
As the Uganda People’s Defense Forces Amendment Bill 2024 progresses through Parliament, it will likely continue to spark debates over the role of the military in national governance and the balance between military and civilian authority.
With its proposals to restructure the military, redefine judicial powers, and formalize the roles of the Special Forces Command and Reserve Force, the bill represents a significant shift in Uganda’s defense policy that could have wide-ranging implications for both the military and the public.
The government’s intention to strengthen the UPDF’s operational capabilities and streamline command structures is clear, but how these changes will impact Uganda’s political landscape and civil-military relations remains to be seen.
