Uganda Today: Human Rights Activists Rally Behind Eron Kiiza, Demand Return of His Passport for Urgent Medical Travel
By Uganda Today Reporter
Published on www.ugandatoday.co.ug
KAMPALA — A growing wave of concern is sweeping through Uganda’s human rights circles as prominent activists intensify calls for the immediate return of human rights lawyer Counsel Eron Kiiza’s passport. The passport, currently held under attachment by court orders, has become a focal point of contention in what many are calling an act of judicial overreach and repression.
Counsel Eron Kiiza, a tireless advocate known for representing political prisoners and championing environmental and constitutional justice, has for months pleaded with the judiciary to release his passport. He argues that he urgently needs to travel abroad for specialized medical treatment and recuperation. However, judicial authorities have remained unyielding, failing to grant his appeals—a move that has sparked outrage among his colleagues, supporters, and civil society.
Uganda Today spoke to two vocal human rights activists during a peaceful demonstration held on Kampala Road this week. Donning black T-shirts boldly emblazoned with the words “Return Eron Kiiza’s Passport”, the activists decried what they described as “deliberate cruelty” by the state.
“This is not just about a passport—it is about a life,” said James Ssuuna, a human rights defender based in Kampala. “Eron has dedicated his legal career to defending the voiceless, taking on high-profile cases involving state abuse and environmental degradation. Now when he needs urgent medical attention, the system is using his passport as a leash. It’s shameful and inhumane.”
Claire Namara, another activist participating in the campaign, added, “The judiciary should not be used to settle political scores. If a court attachment is designed to punish a lawyer for his activism, then that’s an abuse of legal instruments. Eron Kiiza is sick. Denying him access to healthcare is a violation of his right to life and dignity.”
Why Was Kiiza’s Passport Confiscated?
The controversy stems from ongoing litigation in which Kiiza is accused of contempt of court relating to his public commentary on certain judicial proceedings. The High Court reportedly ordered the attachment of his passport as part of what it termed “compliance enforcement measures.” Legal scholars and civil society organisations have since questioned the proportionality and legal basis of such a measure, especially in light of Kiiza’s deteriorating health.
Insiders close to the case suggest the move is politically motivated, aimed at silencing one of the country’s most fearless legal minds. Kiiza has built a reputation for defending opposition figures, environmental activists, and victims of land grabbing—often taking on high-stakes cases that pit him against powerful state actors and corporate interests.
Medical Grounds Ignored
Kiiza has made several formal pleas, through court applications and public appeals, asking for the temporary release of his travel documents. He insists that travel abroad is necessary for thorough medical management and mental rejuvenation after a grueling spell of prison incarceration on the orders of a disbanded court martial that caused his health complications.
Despite submitting medical documentation and securing potential international referrals, the judiciary has yet to relent—raising concerns about selective justice and institutional callousness.
Civil Society Rising
Numerous civil society organizations, including Chapter Four Uganda and Legal Brains Trust, have released statements supporting Kiiza’s cause. Social media platforms, too, are awash with hashtags like #ReturnKiizasPassport and #JusticeForEron, as public sympathy grows.
Uganda Law Society (ULS), to which Kiiza belongs, has so far issued a cautious statement calling for “equitable treatment of all legal practitioners and respect for health-related pleas.” However, critics have slammed ULS for what they perceive as a tepid and non-committal stance.
A Matter of Conscience
The situation raises broader questions about the independence of the judiciary, freedom of movement, and the state’s treatment of human rights defenders. As pressure mounts both locally and internationally, all eyes are now on the court’s next move.
“If Uganda claims to be a democracy governed by the rule of law, then this is the moment to prove it,” said Namara. “Let Eron Kiiza go abroad. Let him heal. He has earned that right.”
For continued coverage on this story and other human rights developments in Uganda, stay tuned to www.ugandatoday.co.ug.
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