Amnesty International on Wednesday urged Ugandan authorities to overturn a military tribunal’s decision and release lawyer Eron Kiiza, who has been convicted of contempt of court without trial.
Kiiza was arrested after reportedly shouting at a court martial after being denied entry to the reserved space for lawyers when attempting to represent opposition leader Kizza Basigye at a court hearing. Activists and human rights groups have condemned the arrest and continue to advocate for Kiiza’s release. Following the military tribunal’s decision, he has been sentenced to nine months in prison.
The lack of a fair trial in Kiiza’s case amounts to breaches of Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), of which Uganda is a party. Amnesty International noted that several lawyers representing Besigye, including Kiiza, have frequently reported harassment by military personnel, including being denied the ability to provide sufficient legal representation.
Kiiza is widely recognized for his human rights and environmental advocacy, including his representation of human rights activist Nicholas Opiyo and his involvement in campaigns and cases promoting environmental conservation in Uganda. These efforts earned him a nomination for the European Union Human Rights Defender of the Year Award in 2022, as well as an award for Central Uganda Human Rights Defender of the year.
In November 2024, Besigye was forcibly taken from Kenya and charged by a Ugandan military tribunal, alongside fellow opposition politician Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, with unlawful possession of firearms. This is not the first time Besigye has been subject to criminal charges, related to his involvement in anti-government protests within the state. Besigye denied his charges and his legal team challenged the tribunal’s jurisdiction to prosecute him on these grounds.
Although Uganda holds regular elections, their legitimacy has been widely questioned. The ruling party and its leader, Yoweri Museveni, have maintained power since 1986. During this period, opposition candidates, including Besigye, have frequently faced intimidation, harassment, and arrests on what have been described as “spurious” criminal charges. By Zara Thomas, Jurists News
