Uganda’s President Appoints New Head of General Court Martial Amid Legal Reforms
Kampala, November 26, 2025 — President Yoweri Museveni has appointed Brigadier General Richard Tukachungurwa as the new Chairman of Uganda’s General Court Martial, heading a significant reshuffle of the military judiciary.
The appointment was made in an official letter dated November 25, 2025, addressed to the Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba. The move, executed under Sections 192, 193, and 195 of the UPDF Act on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, also sees nine senior officers added as members of the General Court Martial panel and two officers appointed as chairpersons of Division Court Martials.
Brig. Gen. Tukachungurwa, a veteran judge advocate, takes over from Brigadier Freeman Robert Mugabe. He is known for having presided over several high-profile cases, including the trials of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.
This restructuring occurs against a backdrop of ongoing legal scrutiny of the military court’s jurisdiction. In January 2025, Uganda’s Supreme Court delivered a ruling limiting the ability of military courts to try civilians. However, the Parliament reinstated some of these powers in May for cases related to the military, a move that has been contentious.
The appointment has drawn mixed reactions. While some observers view it as a step towards judicial balance within the military system, others have raised concerns about impartiality. Sammy Wanda, lawyer for Dr. Kizza Besigye, publicly questioned the new chairman’s neutrality. Human rights groups remain cautious, continuing to express wariness over the trial of civilians in military courts.
The development marks a pivotal moment in Uganda’s military justice system as it navigates the tension between legal reform, operational jurisdiction, and judicial independence.
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