UGANDA: Arbitrary detention, judicial harassment and acts of torture against Eron Kiiza
24 March 2025
Eron Kiiza is a Ugandan lawyer committed to the defence of human rights, the protection of the environment and the rule of law. After being subjected to judicial harassment, he was allegedly arbitrarily detained and subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
Mr Kiiza is the lawyer of political opponent Dr Kizza Besigye and his assistant Obeid Lutale. On 7 January 2025, he was violently arrested by a soldier while entering the courtroom of the Makindye military tribunal. He was subsequently taken to an unknown location for several hours, during which he was severely beaten.
After this incident, Mr Kiiza was taken back to the military court, where he was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for “contempt of court”. He was not given the opportunity to defend himself or to benefit from legal representation, thus blatantly violating fair trial and due process standards.
Eron Kiiza was then immediately transferred to the government prison in Kitalya, where he remains arbitrarily detained.
The conviction of the lawyer breaches national and international law, as well as the Ugandan Constitution. According to the Constitution, a military court can only impose a maximum sentence of 30 days‘ imprisonment on a lawyer for contempt (articles 171(2) and 214(9) of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces).
According to the findings of defence organisations, Mr Kiiza shows numerous signs of torture. Most of his body, including his joints, knees, nails, knuckles and head, showed significant swelling.
The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of Mr Eron Kiiza.
The Observatory calls on the Ugandan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Eron Kiiza, to guarantee his physical and mental integrity, and to conduct a transparent and independent investigation into the acts of torture and ill-treatment to which he has been subjected.
The Observatory calls on the Ugandan State to comply with its obligations under the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, ratified in 1986.
The Observatory recalls that, in accordance with the United Nations basic principles on the role of Lawyers, in particular principles 17, 23 and 27:
“Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.” (Principle 17)
“Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization. In exercising these rights, lawyers shall always conduct themselves in accordance with the law and the recognized standards and ethics of the legal profession.” (Principle 23)
“Charges or complaints made against lawyers in their professional capacity shall be processed expeditiously and fairly under appropriate procedures. Lawyers shall have the right to a fair hearing, including the right to be assisted by a lawyer of their choice.” (Principle 27)
