The East Africa Law Society (EALS) has strongly condemned the continued detention of Ugandan lawyer Eron Kiiza and demanded his immediate release.
Military officers arrested Kiiza on January 2, 2025, at the General Court Martial. This happened while he was representing opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his associate, Hajj Obeid Utale Kamulegeya.
Military officers accused him of contempt of court for refusing to move to the back of the courtroom. The military court sentenced him to nine months in prison without allowing him to defend himself.
On January 31, the Ugandan Supreme Court ruled that military courts cannot try civilians. Despite this, authorities have kept Kiiza in detention. His lawyers filed a habeas corpus application seeking his release, but the High Court dismissed it. His bail hearing is now set for April 4.
The EALS, representing lawyers across East Africa, has denounced Kiiza’s detention as a violation of human rights and the rule of law.
In a statement, EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar described Kiiza’s incarceration as “an egregious affront to justice and a direct assault on legal professionals.”
A delegation from EALS, led by Secretary General John Seka and CEO David Sigano, visited Kiiza in Kitalya Prison. The team reported that Kiiza had lost significant weight and bore visible bruises. He had also suffered torture at the hands of military personnel before his detention.
“The EALS demands Kiiza’s unconditional release, an end to military trials for civilians, and accountability for those responsible for his mistreatment,” Abubakar stated. He emphasized that Uganda’s treatment of Kiiza violates international human rights treaties and regional legal obligations.
The EALS vowed to use all legal means to secure Kiiza’s release and uphold the rule of law across the region.
