Court orders Besigye’s lawyer to appear on February 25

The Civil Division of the High Court is on February 25, 2025, scheduled to hear an application seeking the release of jailed advocate Eron Kiiza, either dead or alive.

The application, filed by the Uganda Law Society (ULS) against the Attorney General and the officer in charge of Kitalya Prison, was set for hearing by Court Registrar Simon Kintu Zirintuusa on January 18, 2025.

“The hearing of this case has been fixed for February 25, 2025, at 10am. If no appearance is made on your behalf, by yourself/your pleader or someone authorised by law to act for you, the case will be heard in your absence,” Zirintuusa warned.

On January 7, 2025, Kiiza was sentenced to nine months in prison by the General Court Martial in Makindye for contempt of court.

However, ULS contends that Kiiza was convicted and sentenced to a term of imprisonment for contempt of court under the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Act, Cap 330, which has a maximum sentence of 30 days.

“The continued detention of Kiiza is unlawful and violates his right to liberty, as guaranteed under Article 23 (1) of the Constitution,” ULS contends. 

How Kiiza was jailed

As the General Court Martial convened to hear the case of Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Haji Obeid Lutale on Tuesday (January 7, 2025), chaotic scenes played out in the court.

Besigye, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president and Lutale are facing charges of subversion and unlawful possession of firearms.

As Kiiza, whom is one of the defence lawyers, proceeded to the bar (place designated for lawyers), he banged the angle bars, conduct the judge advocate, Brig. Gen. Richard Tukacungurwa, said was contemptuous. Consequently, Kiiza was intercepted by military officers and a scuffle ensued.

Amid the chaotic scenes in the courtroom, the army court chairman, Brig. Gen Robert Freeman Mugabe and the members of the court adjourned the case for 30 minutes and excused themselves from the courtroom. Kiiza was later brought and sentenced to nine months in jail.

In his ruling, Mugabe said on December 10 last year, Kiiza expressed gross professional misconduct and he was warned to desist from the same.

However, Kiiza exhibited the same when he confronted a court orderly, who was guiding him where to sit, according to Mugabe. Kiiza was not given an opportunity to speak after the contempt charge was read out.