NGO Forum criticises Court Martial over contempt charges against Besigye’s lawyer
The Uganda National NGO Forum has condemned the Court Martial's actions following the contempt charges and the nine-month imprisonment sentence handed to Eron Kiiza, the legal representative of Dr. Kiiza Besigye.
This sentence was issued on January 7, 2025 during the ongoing trial of Dr. Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.
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In a statement, the Uganda National NGO Forum expressed concern about the potential implications of these proceedings on the rule of law and justice administration in Uganda.
The Forum emphasised that, while it respects the judiciary's independence, the Court Martial’s actions could severely impact the fairness of judicial processes.
“We recognise that these proceedings have far-reaching consequences for the rule of law in Uganda,” the statement read.
“We implore the Court Martial to uphold the principles of fairness and transparency and ensure that justice is administered impartially.”
The Forum also expressed solidarity with the Uganda Law Society, which has been actively addressing the legal issues surrounding this case.
Civil society groups have raised concerns about the treatment of legal professionals involved in high-profile cases, urging the courts to preserve the integrity of judicial processes.
On Tuesday, the General Court Martial sentenced Kiiza to nine months in Kitalya Prison for “gross professional misconduct.”
The court accused Kiiza of “banging the angle bars and failing to listen to the chairman of the court” during a session.
Kiiza, one of the lead lawyers for opposition figure Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale, was placed in a caged dock alongside his clients during the morning session.
After the lunch adjournment, Kiiza was returned to court in handcuffs.
According to his colleague, Mr. Samuel Muyizi, Kiiza was tortured during the adjournment, which led to a dislocated arm. “He said they [military personnel] attempted to strangle him,” Muyizi told reporters outside the court.
The court issued Kiiza’s sentence without a trial, an action that critics argue violates basic principles of justice, even by military court standards.
The incident has reignited debates on the legitimacy of military courts handling civilian cases, with critics labeling such courts as “kangaroo courts” that deprive civilians of their fundamental rights.
