Latest news with #Amendment)Act
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Uganda leader signs law reintroducing military trials of civilians
FILE PHOTO: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni addresses the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 42nd Extraordinary Session, at the State House in Entebbe, Uganda January 18, 2024. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa/File Photo KAMPALA - Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed legislation that allows military tribunals to try civilians, parliament said on Monday, a move opposition leaders said violates a Supreme Court ruling. Rights campaigners have long alleged that the government has used military courts to persecute political opponents of Museveni, who has been in power for almost 40 years. His aides have denied this, saying only civilians who use guns for political violence are prosecuted in such tribunals. In a ruling earlier this year, the East African country's Supreme Court banned the practice, calling it unconstitutional. It had been based on previous legislation that was challenged in lower courts. Museveni's government subsequently introduced new legislation seeking to restore the prosecutions and parliament subsequently passed it last month. "President @KagutaMuseveni has assented to The Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025," parliament said in a post on the X platform. After the bill's passage, the army's spokesperson praised it, saying it would "deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes". The opposition says the new law violates the Supreme Court verdict. Ugandan courts could intervene again if they receive a citizens' petition against the legislation. The earlier top court verdict forced authorities to transfer the military trial of a major opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, for alleged offences including treason, to a civilian court. Pop star-turned politician Bobi Wine, Uganda's biggest opposition figure, is preparing to challenge Museveni in next year's election. He was once charged in a military tribunal over illegal possession of guns but the charges were later dropped. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Uganda leader signs law reintroducing military trials of civilians
FILE PHOTO: Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni addresses the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 42nd Extraordinary Session, at the State House in Entebbe, Uganda January 18, 2024. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa/File Photo KAMPALA (Reuters) -Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has signed legislation that allows military tribunals to try civilians, parliament said on Monday, a move opposition leaders said violates a Supreme Court ruling. Rights campaigners have long alleged that the government has used military courts to persecute political opponents of Museveni, who has been in power for almost 40 years. His aides have denied this, saying only civilians who use guns for political violence are prosecuted in such tribunals. In a ruling earlier this year, the East African country's Supreme Court banned the practice, calling it unconstitutional. It had been based on previous legislation that was challenged in lower courts. Museveni's government subsequently introduced new legislation seeking to restore the prosecutions and parliament subsequently passed it last month. "President @KagutaMuseveni has assented to The Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (Amendment) Act, 2025," parliament said in a post on the X platform. After the bill's passage, the army's spokesperson praised it, saying it would "deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes". The opposition says the new law violates the Supreme Court verdict. Ugandan courts could intervene again if they receive a citizens' petition against the legislation. The earlier top court verdict forced authorities to transfer the military trial of a major opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, for alleged offences including treason, to a civilian court. Pop star-turned politician Bobi Wine, Uganda's biggest opposition figure, is preparing to challenge Museveni in next year's election. He was once charged in a military tribunal over illegal possession of guns but the charges were later dropped. (Reporting by Elias Biryabarema; editing by Ammu Kannampilly and Mark Heinrich)
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Pulicat ‘land grab': Shrimp farm units may face action
CHENNAI: A day after damning report by the Save Ennore Creek Campaign exposing illegal shrimp farms encroaching on wetlands in the Pulicat bird sanctuary's Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), the Tamil Nadu forest department confirmed key allegations and announced possible action. In a communication to chief wildlife warden, the Chennai Chief Conservator of Forests, Ritto Cyriac, stated that the aquaculture farms in Thangalperumbulam village indeed fall within the 10 km default ESZ of the sanctuary. The forest department clarified that no permissions or No Objection Certificates (NOCs) had been granted for aquaculture activities in the area. More critically, the wildlife warden and district collector have reported that these farms —operating since 2008-09 — did not receive mandatory approvals from either the sub-divisional or district-level committees, as required under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Act, 2023. The collector's office may issue show cause notices for unregistered and illegally functioning units, sources said. 'The coastal aquaculture farms can be registered only if it is recommended by sub-divisional committee/district-level committee prescribed in the CAA Act. It is informed by collector and wildlife warden that, the above committees have not recommended registration of these farms,' Ritto said. While he claimed the farms are in patta lands, revenue records show around 62 acres of government poramboke land classified as grazing grounds and floodplains have been encroached.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu to frame rules for nominating PwDs to local bodies after governor assents to Bills
CHENNAI: The state government will soon frame rules for nominating persons with disabilities (PwDs) to all local bodies since the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies (Amendment) Act, 1998, and the Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Amendment) Act, 1994 became laws after Governor RN Ravi gave assent to the two Bills. The Bills were published in the state gazette on Monday. When contacted, a senior official told TNIE that the government would soon begin the process of drafting rules in consultation with legal experts. 'It usually takes some time, but the government will take prompt action in this regard,' the official said. The legislation paves the way for the nomination of around 14,000 PwDs to urban and rural local bodies, ensuring their voices are heard in local governance and enabling them to take up leadership roles. A total of 650 PwDs will be nominated to urban local bodies. Similarly, 12,913 PwDs will be nominated to village panchayats, 388 to panchayat unions, and 37 to district panchayats. Chief Minister MK Stalin had introduced the two Bills in the Assembly on April 16. They were passed on April 29.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Assembly amending rules to align with GNCTD Act: Gupta
New Delhi: Delhi assembly speaker Vijender Gupta on Monday said the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Vidhan Sabha are being amended in line with the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, to bring them on par with the rules governing the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Gupta clarified that the amendment does not affect the routine functioning of the House or restrict assembly committees. The changes aim to remove ambiguities in rule interpretation. "The Privileges Committee and Petitions Committee can still summon officials and question them on complaints. They can scrutinise Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports but cannot summon officials for routine executive matters, which the previous govt often did," Gupta said. AAP reacted, saying, "It is strange that a person who disrupted the Delhi Assembly during last 10 years is now pointing fingers at others." Leader of the opposition in the Delhi assembly and former chief minister Atishi wrote a letter to the Speaker last month, raising concerns that following the amendments in the GNCTD Act, the legislative assembly "cannot make any rule to enable itself or its committees to consider the day-to-day administration of the Capital or conduct inquiries in relation to the administrative decisions". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo The letter was in reference to three CAG reports – public health, liquor supply, and vehicular air pollution – being scrutinised by PAC. Gupta said Rule 280 was vague and sometimes exploited for "vested interests." The amendments will address this, make rules gender-neutral, simplify language, and align them with parliamentary rules. The assembly has also formed two new committees— Committee on the Welfare of Senior Citizens and the Committee on the Welfare of Transgenders and Persons with Disabilities—and is drafting rules for them.
