In a controversial move that has sparked widespread criticism, the General Court Martial has Tuesday sentenced prominent opposition lawyer Eron Kiiza to nine months in prison for what it described as “gross professional misconduct.”
The sentence was handed down after Kiiza, who has represented key opposition figures, including Kizza Besigye, was found guilty of disrupting court proceedings by “banging the angle bars” and failing to listen to the court chairman Brig. Robert Freeman Mugabe.
Kiiza’s sentencing follows a tumultuous day in court, where he was thrown into the caged dock alongside his clients, Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale.
After a lunch adjournment, Kiiza was brought back to court in handcuffs, further raising suspicions about the fairness of the proceedings.
Samuel Muyizi, another lawyer on the defense team, claimed that Kiiza had been subjected to physical abuse during the break, alleging that military personnel had tortured him, leaving his arm injured.
Muyizi also reported that Kiiza had been “strangled” by the soldiers, prompting grave concerns about the treatment of lawyers within the military justice system.
“What happened today is a major violation of Mr. Kiiza’s rights,” said Muyizi, speaking to reporters outside the court. “His sentence was passed without a trial and in violation of basic principles of justice, even within a military court.”
The sentencing of Kiiza without a formal hearing has reignited criticism of the General Court Martial, which has long been accused of lacking legitimacy and due process. Critics have raised concerns about the court’s ability to fairly try civilians, arguing that military courts have no jurisdiction over non-military personnel. This incident is likely to intensify calls for reforms, particularly as the military court continues to face accusations of operating as a “kangaroo court” with little regard for the rights of the accused.
Kiiza’s clash with Judge Advocate Brigadier-General Richard Tukacungurwa over procedural matters has been well-documented, adding fuel to the fire. Legal experts warn that this case further erodes trust in the judicial system, with the military court increasingly seen as a tool of political repression.
The sentencing comes amid heightened scrutiny of military courts’ jurisdiction over civilians, with the Supreme Court yet to make a ruling on an appeal concerning the Constitutional Court’s decision to strip military courts of the right to try civilians.
Human rights organizations, legal practitioners, and opposition leaders have condemned the treatment of Kiiza, calling the sentence politically motivated and a severe violation of his rights as a lawyer. With Uganda’s judiciary under increasing pressure, the case of Eron Kiiza raises urgent questions about the independence and fairness of the country’s legal system.
