In a solemn ceremony held at the Supreme Court premises in Kampala today, Brigadier General Richard Tukacungurwa and other appointed members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) General Court Martial (GCM) took their oaths of office, pledging to uphold the Constitution and administer justice impartially.
The event was presided over by Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, and attended by senior judicial and government officials, including Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.
Brig Gen Tukacungurwa’s appointment as Chairperson of the General Court Martial follows a reconstitution of the tribunal by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, acting on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission. The ceremony marks a significant step in formalising the leadership of military justice in Uganda after months of institutional restructuring.
Speaking after taking the oath, Brig Gen Tukacungurwa affirmed his commitment to upholding the Constitution and the law in executing his mandate. He emphasised that the newly constituted court martial would operate within legal frameworks and pledged to ensure fair and impartial delivery of justice.
Principal Judge Jane Frances Abodo, who administered the oaths, underscored the constitutional responsibilities of military judicial officers, emphasising that all judicial power must be exercised according to the law, with fairness and respect for human rights.
Her remarks reflected ongoing efforts to reinforce constitutional standards across all judicial institutions, including military courts.
Also present at the ceremony were other members of the General Court Martial and judicial officers, who likewise took oaths committing themselves to impartial service.
The presence of Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka and other legal luminaries signalled the government’s support for strengthening military justice, particularly at a time when reforms and legal oversight of the UPDF’s judicial processes are in the national spotlight.
The reconstituted General Court Martial is expected to play a critical role in handling matters of discipline and other offences within the UPDF, amid broader discussions on the jurisdiction and role of military courts in Uganda’s legal landscape.
