Kampala, Uganda – Prominent human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza has been sentenced to nine months in prison by the General Court Martial for what it termed “gross professional misconduct.” The court found Kiiza guilty of “banging the angle bars” and failing to heed the chairman’s instructions during proceedings related to opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his associate Hajj Obeid Lutaale.
The chaotic scene unfolded as Kiiza was detained after being placed in a caged dock alongside his clients. Upon returning to court after a lunch adjournment, he appeared in handcuffs, raising concerns about his treatment while in custody. Fellow defense lawyer Samuel Muyizi reported that Kiiza had been tortured during the break, claiming that military personnel attempted to strangle him and that his arm was dislocated.
The sentencing has sparked outrage among legal professionals and critics who argue that Kiiza’s punishment was handed down without a proper trial, violating fundamental principles of justice. Observers have condemned the military court’s actions as a significant abuse of the rights of a legal representative, further intensifying existing tensions between opposition lawyers and state authorities.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians and raises questions about judicial independence in Uganda. Critics argue that military courts often treat civilians as military personnel, undermining their rights.