On 13 March, at least 18 journalists were reportedly assaulted by Ugandan security personnel while covering legislative by-elections in Kawempe North, Kampala. The alleged attackers included members of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and the Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT). The journalists, all visibly identified as press, were severely beaten and had equipment confiscated. While press freedom violations are common in Uganda, a single incident of this scale is unusual. Fifteen journalists later petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) demanding justice. The UPDF announced an investigation and said findings would inform disciplinary measures. A spokesperson described the violence as a ‘misunderstanding.’ President Yoweri Museveni also stated that authorities would investigate the conduct of the vote.

Sources: Human Rights Network for Journalists – Uganda, X, Committee to Protect Journalists, Uganda People’s Defence Forces, Reporters Without Border, Barron’s

On 31 January, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, nullifying all ongoing prosecutions. The Uganda Law Society welcomed the landmark decision as a victory for constitutionalism. Despite President Yoweri Museveni initially dismissing the ruling, the Attorney General announced on 4 February that the government was to take steps to implement it, including transferring civilian cases from military to civilian courts. On 17 February, the government stated that it would move opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye’s trial to a civilian court. Besigye was arrested in Kenya in November 2024 alongside his aide, Haji Obeid Lutale, and faces charges carrying the death penalty.

Sources: X, Monitor, Human Rights Watch, Radio France Internationale, Parliament of the Republic of Uganda, Voice of America, Associated Press

As the first Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander to be tried by a Ugandan court, Thomas Kwoyelo was found guilty of dozens of crimes against humanity on 13 August 2024. Kwoyelo was convicted of dozens of atrocities committed during the LRA insurgency. A child soldier-turned rebel commander, Kwoyelo has been in custody since 2009. Rights group International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) described the trial, which had faced years of delays, as a milestone in the country’s efforts to hold war criminals accountable. The trial is also the first atrocity case to be tried under the International Crimes Division, a special division of the High Court, that was established in 2008 to try international crimes. Human rights groups welcomed the verdict as a crucial step toward justice for victims of the LRA’s brutal campaign. Kwoyelo is yet to be sentenced.

Sources: Al Jazeera, BBC, ISS Africa, The Africa Report, Human Rights Watch, ICTJ

On 29 July 2024, Ugandan authorities charged 36 opposition party members with terrorism-related offences. Those charged included members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), one of Uganda’s biggest opposition parties. The 36 people received the charges after they were deported from Kenya, where they had travelled to attend a training course. The prosecution alleged that the 36 individuals had travelled to Kenya with the intent to provide or receive terrorism training. During their arrest, the police are alleged to have beaten and tortured the opposition members. The accused were reportedly unable to enter a plea, as terrorism charges are classified as capital offences, requiring trial in a higher court. Human rights organizations expressed deep concern, accusing the government of weaponizing terrorism laws to silence dissent.

Sources: Reuters, Uganda Police Force, DW, Article 19