Uganda, Feb. 15 -- The Court of Appeal has reaffirmed that it is illegal for a serving Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) soldier to participate in any partisan election before being discharged by the military.

The ruling follows Capt Yuventine Omara's contesting for the Abim District chairmanship in the 2021 General Election before he got a discharge letter from the army.

Although Capt Omara was declared winner of the seat, the court said he illegally participated in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries and the Local Council Five elections.

".the appellant had not yet been discharged from the UPDF and, therefore, he was not qualified for nomination as a candidate to the position of LC5 chairperson of Abim District...