KAMPALA– A number of Legal practitioners most especially advocates, both from within and outside Uganda have expressed dis satisfaction with the manner in which Makindye Based General Court Martial treated Counsel Eron Kiiza on Tuesday as he appeared before it defend Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale.
These contend that his brutal arrest, speedy conviction and nine months imprisonment sentence
Without following the due process were uncalled for.
“Those who recorded what happened in court , we need to see what really happened because when court was giving a ruling on Kiiza, they said that he assaulted a court orderly. I was in court and what my eyes saw, was the orderlies (not one) assaulting Kiiza. Even in the dock they assaulted him and I know he is injured although I didn’t speak to him.” Remarked lead counsel Martha Karua
She went ahead and asked her self that whether a tribunal/court which can treat an advocate in that manner , can offer justice to their clients.
“Slammed with a custodial sentence of 9 months without a charge sheet, plea-taking, prosecution or any modicum or semblance of trial!!!. What a travesty of justice perpetrated by this kangaroo court Martial!!!. Due process or fair trial is entrenched in the Bill of Rights as non-derogable right, one of the most sacrosanct rights guaranteed under our Constitution. Stand firm comrade Eron Kiiza . Freedom for All, All for Freedom.” Erias Lukwago one of the lawyers on Besigye’s team posted on his official social media accounts.
Counsel Jude Byamukama noted that the events which unfolded at Court Martial especially the unlawful conviction and sentence of counsel Kiiza, stresses out the need for the Supreme Court to expeditiously determine Attorney General vs Michael Kabaziguruka case pending before Supreme Court.
“Let us work for the release of @kiizaeron urgently . The independence of the legal profession must be protected.” Tweeted Francis Gimara, one of the past Presidents of Uganda Law Society.
Maverick Lawyer Male Mabirizi, on reacting to the matter , stated that the actions of General Court martial in sentencing Kiiza were illegal because it’s not an a Court to validate the offence of contempt as provided for under the 1995 Constitution.
On Tuesday, Makindye General Court Martial chaired by Brig Gen Free man Mugabe sentenced Counsel Eron Kiiza , a human rights lawyer to nine months improvement over contempt of Court.
Kiiza was arrested during in court where he was trying to get in touch with his Clients (Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale) who are facing Treason charges before the same court.
