Renowned human rights lawyer, Eron Kiiza has launched country wide consultations as he seeks to become the next President of the Uganda Law Society in order to free the country’s law society from ‘judicial, economic, and political chains’.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Kiiza noted that the bounds holding the Ugandan Bar have led to Justice, a cornerstone of civilised society on its deathbed and only a preserve for the privileged Ugandans.
“Rather than a right for all, it is a preserve of those who can bully or bribe the system. So, speaking truth to power is no longer just brave it is perilous” he said.
Kiiza noted that it’s for this reason that he is standing for the ULS Presidency since it needs a tested, calm and battle-hardened warrior for justice to ‘break the chains’ holding it.
“I have braved the fire of political persecution and military torture, threats against my life, economic pressures, and attempts to break me through imprisonment have not bent my resolve. The high walls and thick prison doors have not silenced me” he said.
He added, “I personify the leadership ULS and Uganda demands as we stare down a national election season replete with human rights abuses. ULS leadership must respond firmly, swiftly and with integrity”.
With a campaign tagged #UnchainTheBar, Kiiza is seeking to be the next ULS president in light of the imminent end of the tenure of the current ULS council (executive) headed by exiled President Mr. Isaac Kimaze Ssemakadde on 27th September 2025.
“I have been an indefatigable defender of lawyers’ welfare, young lawyers’ rights, human dignity, women rights, the rule of law, social justice, Bar autonomy, judicial autonomy, public interest and the rights of the oppressed. I have stood for and I continue to defend lawyers, journalists, writers, farmers, women, youth, detainees, evictees and other vulnerable voices” he noted.
Kiiza who is also one of imprisoned veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye’s lawyers recently spent over 80 days in Kitalya prison, serving a nine-month sentence for contempt of court, handed down by the General Court Martial on January 7, 2025.
The sentence was issued summarily by Brig Robert Freeman Mugabe, who accused Kiiza of exhibiting unbecoming conduct at the bar while representing Col Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale.
Kiiza urged members of the bar to expect a robust, dignified and unrelenting defence of their rights and the general public interest.
“As, together, we unchain the bar from the regulatory, judicial, political and economic chains that continue to steal our dreams, damn our efforts and dash our hopes” he said.
