The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders condemned the Ugandan government Wednesday for the arrest, torture, and judicial harassment of human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza.
Kiiza was arrested on January 7, at the General Court Martial in Makindye township while representing his client, opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Besigye, a former presidential candidate and retired colonel, faces charges alongside his aide Haji Obeid Lutale for security offenses and unlawful possession of firearms. These charges have been criticized for violating fair trial standards as both are civilians being tried in a military tribunal.
Kiiza was reportedly denied access to his client during court proceedings. Following a heated exchange with military personnel, he was violently arrested, manhandled and detained in the dock alongside his clients. He was subsequently removed from the courtroom and detained in a holding cell, where he was subjected to severe torture. Afterwards, he was convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to nine months in Kitalya Government Prison without being formally charged or afforded the right to legal representation.
Human rights organizations argue that his conviction violates Articles 23, 28, and 44 of the Uganda Constitution, as well as multiple international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the UN Convention Against Torture.
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L), issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over Kiiza’s conviction. They emphasize that his persecution undermines the principles of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which guarantee lawyers the right to perform their professional duties without intimidation or interference.
The Observatory has called on Ugandan authorities to release Kiiza immediately, quash his conviction, and investigate the acts of torture committed against him. It has also demanded that Uganda ensure the independence of its judiciary and compliance with fair trial standards.
Persistent reports of arbitrary arrests and judicial harassment targeting lawyers were noted in the UN Human Rights Committee’s 2023 review of Uganda, underscoring the systemic nature of these abuses. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders is a joint initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT).
