By URN
The High court has granted bail to prominent human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza, setting a Shs 20 million cash condition for his release.
Presiding over the bail application, Criminal Division judge Michael Elubu ordered Kiiza to pay the cash amount and for each of his three sureties to execute a non-cash bond of Shs 50 million.
The sureties include his wife Sylvia Tumwebaze, his cousin, Dr Kabumba Busingye, and close friend and fellow human rights advocate, Prima Kwagala. Additionally, the court directed Kiiza to deposit his passport with the court registrar and seek prior permission should he wish to travel outside the country.
Kiiza had 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.
The two clients were facing charges of treachery and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Unhappy with the ruling, Kiiza appealed against the conviction and applied for bail pending the outcome of his appeal.
A key argument in his application was that his imprisonment was illegal, citing a landmark Supreme court ruling led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, which prohibited the trial of civilians in military courts, including the General Court Martial.
Kiiza’s legal team maintains that his continued detention is unlawful, and his appeal though still pending raises fundamental constitutional issues. His supporters and legal team welcomed the bail decision but expressed concern over the bail terms, particularly the Shs 20 million cash requirement, calling it excessive and punitive for someone seeking justice.
