This morning, the Makindye General Court Martial was thrust into chaos following the dramatic detention of vocal lawyer Eron Kiiza.
The incident occurred as the court convened to proceed with the trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale, who face charges of illegal possession of firearms.
Tensions began when a section of Besigye’s lawyers including Kiiza were reportedly denied access to the court premises for over two hours. Upon finally gaining entry, Kiiza discovered that his designated seat on the defense bench had already been occupied. Shortly thereafter, a contingent of armed military officers confronted him, barring him from joining the front bench of defense lawyers.
When Kiiza resisted their attempts to remove him, a physical altercation ensued. He was forcibly dragged to the dock, where his clients, Besigye and Lutale, were standing. The court, chaired by Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe, subsequently found Kiiza in contempt of court and ordered his detention in an undisclosed cell within the court premises.
The incident prompted strong reactions from fellow lawyers, including Erias Lukwago and lead counsel Martha Karua, who vehemently condemned the treatment of their colleague.
“This is an affront to justice. Our colleague was assaulted and denied the opportunity to represent his clients effectively,” Lukwago stated during his submission.
Karua added that Kiiza’s removal undermined the integrity of the defense team.
However, Brigadier General Mugabe maintained that Kiiza’s conduct warranted disciplinary action. “His actions disrupted court proceedings and amounted to contempt of court,” the General asserted.
In light of the arrest, Kiiza’s colleagues petitioned the court for permission to meet with their clients obeid and Besigye to understand his further instructions . The court granted a ruling on this request for 15 minutes.
The trial of Besigye and Lutale, already contentious due to the nature of the charges, now faces further scrutiny amid allegations of intimidation and alleged suppression of the defense.
Observers have expressed concerns about the broader implications for the fairness of the proceedings and the treatment of legal practitioners in high-profile cases.
Courtesy photo
