In a troubling development out of Uganda, human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza has reportedly been arrested, detained without trial, and tortured while in custody, according to colleagues who have visited him in prison. The incident has sparked outrage among human rights organizations and raised alarming questions about the state of rule of law in the East African nation.
Lawyer Arrested While Representing Opposition Leader
Kiiza’s ordeal began on January 7th when he was entering a military courtroom to represent Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition politician, and Besigye’s aide Haji Obeid Lutale. Reports indicate that Kiiza was assaulted by soldiers before being arrested on the spot.
In a shocking turn of events, the lawyer was swiftly convicted of contempt of court that same day and sentenced to nine months in prison. He was immediately transferred to the remote Kitalya prison, over 30 miles from the capital Kampala, with no opportunity to properly defend himself against the charges.
Torture Allegations Emerge
Even more disturbing are the allegations of torture that have surfaced. Fellow Ugandan lawyers Andrew Karamagi and Primah Kwagala, who have worked closely with Kiiza, say that when they visited him in prison, he exhibited clear signs of both physical and mental torture.
“Most parts of his body, particularly joints, knees, nails, knuckles and head, were swollen,” Kwagala revealed. Karamagi added that Kiiza was still recovering from beatings inflicted at the court and while in transit to the prison.
The use of torture is a grave violation of human rights and international law. If these allegations are proven true, it would constitute a shameful abuse of power by Ugandan authorities.
International Condemnation
Global human rights organizations have been swift to condemn Kiiza’s arrest and alleged mistreatment. Amnesty International and the International Federation for Human Rights are among the groups calling for his immediate release.
“[Kiiza’s] sentence constitutes a violation of international, constitutional and Ugandan domestic law,” declared the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders in a statement.
However, a spokesperson for Uganda’s armed forces dismissed the torture allegations as “absolute rubbish,” insisting that Kiiza’s imprisonment was lawful. This denial has done little to allay the concerns of human rights advocates.
Part of a Larger Crackdown?
Kiiza’s arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition figures in Uganda. In November, his client Kizza Besigye was abducted in Kenya before being returned to Uganda to face charges, including treason which carries the death penalty, in a military court despite his civilian status.
Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima, who heads the United Nations’ AIDS agency, has denounced the charges against her husband as politically motivated. With a general election looming next year, there are growing fears that the government is resorting to repressive tactics to stifle dissent.
“It’s foreseeable and understandable that repression will simply increase,” warned lawyer Andrew Karamagi. “The situation will get worse.”
An Affront to the Legal Profession
Perhaps most chilling is the targeting of lawyers like Kiiza simply for representing opposition figures in court. His colleagues expressed shock that an attorney could be arrested and imprisoned for doing his job, noting that this represents an unprecedented attack on the legal profession in Uganda.
“This arrest is testament to the breakdown of rule of law and constitutionalism in Uganda,” lamented lawyer Primah Kwagala. “Our constitutional court has barred military courts from handling civilians but this is happening in vain.”
The imprisonment of a lawyer for the “crime” of representing a client raises grave questions about the independence of Uganda’s judiciary and the ability of attorneys to do their jobs without fear of retaliation. It risks making a mockery of the concept of a fair trial.
A Call for Justice
As Eron Kiiza languishes behind bars, the international community must not turn a blind eye. His case represents a flagrant assault on human rights, the rule of law, and the role of lawyers in a democratic society.
Uganda’s government must be held to account for this apparent travesty of justice. The allegations of torture demand an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation by an independent body. Any officials found complicit should face the full force of the law themselves.
Furthermore, the charges against Kiiza should be dropped and he should be released without delay. The same goes for Kizza Besigye and any others detained on seemingly politically-motivated charges.
The world will be watching to see if Uganda upholds its human rights obligations and commitments to the rule of law. The country’s international reputation and the integrity of its justice system hang in the balance.
In the meantime, the thoughts of the global human rights community are with Eron Kiiza, his family, and all those in Uganda bravely risking their freedom to defend the rights of others. Their struggle is a reminder of the critical importance of the rule of law and the ongoing fight for justice worldwide.
