Uganda’s Parliament has rejected a bold attempt to summon the Commander of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to directly answer questions on the controversial Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill 2025.
The proposal, brought by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, ignited heated debate during a joint session of the Legal and Defence Committees.
Nambooze, backed by Makindye West MP Derick Nyeko, argued that Gen Muhoozi—who holds the highest operational position in the UPDF—should offer direct input on a bill he is expected to implement.
“He is the implementer of this law. He should help us understand how it will work in practice,” Nambooze insisted.
But a majority of committee members disagreed, ultimately voting down the motion. Their resistance hinged on both procedural and political concerns.
Some MPs argued that summoning the CDF without first consulting the Commander-in-Chief, President Yoweri Museveni, was inappropriate.
Others said the Defence Committee alone—rather than the joint committee—has jurisdiction over such military matters, citing parliamentary rules of procedure.
The blocked motion now raises larger questions about transparency and civilian oversight of Uganda’s military.
The UPDF Amendment Bill 2025 seeks to revise key aspects of military organization, command, and conduct.
While many details remain under committee discussion, the legislation could reshape how Uganda’s armed forces operate in both peacetime and conflict.
Opposition MPs and civil society groups have pushed for more inclusive debate, warning that unchecked military reforms risk undermining democratic accountability.
The refusal to hear directly from Gen Muhoozi, they say, only deepens concerns.
“This is not about personalities,” Nyeko said. “It’s about ensuring laws are informed by those who enforce them—and those they affect.”
Uganda’s civil-military relations have long been delicate. The UPDF, a central pillar of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), often walks a fine line between national service and political influence.
Gen Muhoozi himself—son of President Museveni—has frequently courted controversy with his outspoken views and growing public profile.
By shielding the military’s top brass from direct parliamentary engagement, critics argue Parliament is failing its oversight mandate.
But supporters of the vote say it preserves chain-of-command integrity and respects executive authority.
With the motion defeated, the joint committee will continue deliberating the bill without input from the CDF.
Analysts predict the decision could fuel further political debate, especially as Uganda nears a new election cycle and public calls for military accountability grow louder.
For now, Parliament has signaled it won’t cross certain lines when dealing with the defence establishment.
Whether that strengthens or weakens the legislative process remains a matter of fierce national debate.
