Eron Kiiza, a human rights lawyer representing Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, has been subjected to severe torture after his arrest by Ugandan military forces on January 7, 2025. Kiiza, who was entering a military courtroom to represent Dr. Besigye and his aide Haji Obeid Lutale, was detained without trial, convicted of contempt of court, and sentenced to nine months in prison—all on the same day. He was promptly transferred to Kitalya prison, located 34 miles outside the capital, Kampala.
According to his colleagues, Ugandan lawyers Andrew Karamagi and Primah Kwagala, who visited Kiiza in prison, the lawyer displayed visible signs of physical and psychological abuse. His body showed extensive swelling, particularly in his joints, knees, nails, knuckles, and head, consistent with signs of torture. The conditions of Kiiza’s detention have drawn widespread condemnation from the legal community in Uganda, as the use of violence against lawyers had not been observed previously during legal proceedings.
Kiiza’s arrest is part of an ongoing crackdown on opposition figures and those defending their rights in Uganda, where the government of President Yoweri Museveni has been criticized for its suppression of political dissent and the harassment of legal professionals. Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition leader, has been a frequent target of the regime, and his supporters, including legal representatives, face increasing threats of violence and intimidation.
The detention of Kiiza has sparked alarm within Uganda’s legal community, with many expressing concern over the rising risks faced by lawyers working on politically sensitive cases. His colleagues have called for his immediate release and an investigation into the abuses he endured while in custody. The case highlights growing concerns about the erosion of the rule of law in Uganda under the current administration, as human rights defenders and opposition figures continue to face intimidation and violence.
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