Uganda President Yoweri Museveni signs new law allowing military trials for civilians

A previous law that activists said was used to silence opponents was struck down by the Supreme Court.

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A previous law permitting such trials was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in January.

Before that ruling, civilians could be taken to a military tribunal if they had been found with military equipment like guns or army uniforms. Activists had complained that the law was used to persecute government critics.

Parliamentarians passed the amendment last month amid a heavy police presence and a boycott by opposition lawmakers, who argued that it violated the ruling by the country's highest court.

In January, the judges said that the military courts were neither impartial nor competent to exercise judicial functions, the International Society for Human Rights reported at the time.