KAMPALA, Uganda — International human rights organization Amnesty International called on Ugandan authorities on Wednesday to reverse a military tribunal’s verdict and release Eron Kiiza, a lawyer sentenced to nine months in prison after being accused of contempt of court. Kiiza, who was reportedly reprimanded and detained for shouting during a court martial proceeding, was denied a fair trial, according to advocates.
Kiiza’s detention occurred as he was trying to enter a reserved area for lawyers at the tribunal, where he intended to represent opposition leader Kizza Besigye. The incident has sparked widespread criticism from activists and other human rights groups, all of whom are demanding his immediate release.
The military’s decision has raised significant concerns among international law experts, citing breaches in the fair trial standards outlined in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Uganda, as a signatory to the ICCPR, is under scrutiny for adhering to these legal commitments. Amnesty International highlighted that this is part of a broader pattern of harassment faced by lawyers representing Besigye, marked by numerous instances of interference with their ability to adequately serve their clients.
Besides his legal practice, Kiiza is known for his work in human rights and environmental protection in Uganda. His efforts have not only placed him in the legal spotlight but have also led to nominations and awards, including being a nominee for the European Union Human Rights Defender of the Year Award in 2022 and winning the award for Central Uganda Human Rights Defender of the year.
The controversy surrounding Kiiza’s case coincides with the ongoing prosecution of Besigye, who was recently extradited from Kenya and charged by a Ugandan military tribunal. Alongside fellow politician Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, Besigye faces allegations of unlawful possession of firearms. Besigye, a recurrent challenger of the government, has a history of facing what are considered politicized charges tied to his activism against the current administration.
Besigye has consistently challenged the legitimacy of these charges and disputes the military tribunal’s authority over his case. These legal battles occur in a nation where the authenticity of elections and the longevity of the ruling party’s governance, under President Yoweri Museveni since 1986, are subjects of domestic and international dispute.
President Museveni’s government has faced numerous accusations from opposition leaders like Besigye, who argue that electoral processes are marred by intimidation tactics and unjust arrests, calling into question the democratic nature of Uganda’s governance.
In light of these events, the international community continues to watch Uganda’s handling of human rights, particularly as it pertains to freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial. The case of Eron Kiiza is set against a backdrop of broader concerns over the suppression of dissenting voices and the treatment of legal defenders in the country.
Uganda remains at a critical juncture, and the actions taken by its judiciary and military bodies in the coming months could have significant implications for its global image and internal stability.
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