Eron Kiiza, Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Defence Lawyer, Sentenced to Nine Months by Military Court

The General Court Martial in Makindye has sentenced Eron Kiiza, a prominent human rights lawyer and lead counsel for opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, to nine months in prison. Kiiza was found guilty of contempt of court, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism over what many describe as a gross miscarriage of justice.

Arrest and Sentence without Trial

Kiiza was arrested at the premises of the military court while representing his clients, Dr. Besigye and Obeid Lutale, both facing charges stemming from their treasonus activities against the government of Uganda commited from Nairobi. In a shocking turn of events, he was whisked away by security personnel and detained without any formal charges being presented.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kiiza was returned to court, only to be handed the nine-month sentence. The proceedings were marked by a blatant disregard for legal procedure—Kiiza was neither allowed to defend himself nor granted the opportunity to address the court. Charges were not formally read out, and no litigation process was observed, leading to growing public outrage over the military court’s conduct.

Defence Team’s Challenges

The court session also saw objections raised by the prosecution against the inclusion of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua on Dr. Besigye’s defence team. Prosecutors argued that Karua lacked written instructions from her clients to join the legal team. The move has raised concerns about the court’s impartiality and its treatment of Besigye’s defence efforts.

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Bail Application for Dr. Besigye

Meanwhile, the defence team submitted an application seeking bail for Dr. Besigye, citing 11 years old child protégé who is dependent entirely on Besigye’s encumbered freedom and the excessive delays in proceedings. However, the military court deferred its ruling, stating that the decision would be delivered in the next court session on january 13,2025. This delay has added to the frustrations of Besigye’s supporters, who accuse the court of employing dilatory tactics to prolong his detention.

Uncertainty for Dr. Besigye and Obeid Lutale

Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale are scheduled to appear before the military court next week January 13, 2024. However, doubts remain about whether the session will proceed fairly, given the court’s treatment of Kiiza and other members of the defence team. Both Besigye and Lutale are facing politically charged allegations related to their opposition to President Yoweri Museveni’s government.

Public Reaction and Legal Concerns

The sentencing of Eron Kiiza has drawn condemnation from local and international human rights organizations, which have described it as a blatant attack on the rule of law and judicial independence. Critics argue that the military court’s actions set a dangerous precedent for lawyers representing opposition figures in Uganda, undermining their ability to defend clients without fear of reprisal.

Observers are calling for transparency in the upcoming hearings for Dr. Besigye and Obeid Lutale, as well as an immediate review of Eron Kiiza’s sentencing. The incident has reignited debates over the role of military courts in Uganda’s judicial system and their compliance with international standards of justice.

As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the General Court Martial to see whether it will uphold principles of justice or continue down a path fraught with legal and ethical concerns.