After nearly three months in detention, Eron Kiiza, the fearless human rights lawyer representing Dr. Kizza Besigye, was this morning granted bail of UGX 20 million cash by Justice Michael Elubu of the High Court.
His release comes following his January 7th conviction by the General Court Martial for contempt of court, a sentence that sparked national outrage, prompted legal protests and intensified the debate around civilian rights, military justice and political persecution in Uganda.
He secured bail through an aggressive legal push backed by a growing chorus of human rights defenders demanding justice.
Kiiza’s return to freedom wasn’t just another courtroom victory, it was a defiant moment in Uganda’s history. As he emerged from court, his right fist raised high, he looked every bit the man who refused to bow to injustice.
“Freedom is never free. Today I walk out, but many others remain behind bars. We must keep fighting for them too.”
His words landed like a rallying cry. Supporters wept, cheered and waved placards that read “Defend the Defenders” and “Justice Is Not a Crime.”
On January 7, 2025, during a military court session involving his client Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kiiza allegedly made remarks that led to his swift conviction for contempt of court.
Legal observers were stunned when there was no formal charge sheet publicly released, no opportunity given for a full defense and he was summarily sentenced to 9 months at Kitalya Prison, a facility known for its harsh conditions.
This marked an unprecedented moment, the first high-profile civilian lawyer to be imprisoned by a military court in modern Ugandan history.
The bail ruling was delivered at High Court in Kampala under tight security.
Courtroom overflowed with journalists, lawyers, civil society leaders and ordinary citizens who had followed Kiiza’s case with urgency and passion.
The High Court granted bail on condition that Kiiza pays a UGX 20 million cash bond, surrenders his passport to prevent travel beyond Uganda’s jurisdiction.
These conditions were seen as harsh by some, but acceptable by most given the larger goal of securing his release.
A robust legal campaign led by senior lawyers, backed by national and international human rights organizations, filed a bail application backed by legal precedent, constitutional rights, and public interest.
The legal community cited unlawfulness of trying civilians in military courts, denial of fair trial procedures and chilling message his imprisonment sent to all legal practitioners in Uganda.
The Uganda Law Society, African Centre for Justice, and multiple civil society organizations labeled the sentence “a gross miscarriage of justice.”
“He was simply doing his job, defending his client. Since when did the law become a weapon against lawyers?”
Kiiza, a sharp critic of government overreach, has long used his legal skills to challenge unlawful detentions, environmental destruction and police violence.
His association with Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and enduring symbol of Uganda’s opposition, made him a high-value target in a climate of shrinking civic space.
