Police in Kampala have arrested seven people protesting against the General Court Martial’s (GCM) jailing of lawyer Eron Kiiza. The GCM Chairman, Brig Gen Freeman Mugabe, landed Eron Kiiza a nine months’ jail over contempt of court.
Eron Kiiza was representing renowned opposition politician, Dr Kizza Besigye and his friend Obeid Lutale, who were abducted in November last year from Kenya and later charged in the GCM.
Following the GCM shocking sentencing of Eron Kiiza, his colleagues led by Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, vowed to do whatever is within their means to ensure his freedom is regained.
The lawyers on Wednesday announced a protest demanding for Eron Kiiza’s release from jail and security was deployed at some strategic points of the City. However, the security presence did not stop some of the enthusiastic lawyers and human rights defenders from proceeding with the planned protest.
By 9am, some lawyers started marching on some streets of Kampala holding placards demanding for Eron Kiiza’s freedom. Patrick Onyango said the Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson said the lawyers and human rights defenders’ protest was illegal.
“A group of alleged political activists, including some lawyers affiliated with the Uganda Law Society, staged an illegal demonstration today, January 9, 2025, at around 9:00 a.m. The protesters, who gathered in two small groups, marched towards the High Court in Kampala, carrying placards that called for the release of Aaron Kiiza, who was convicted of contempt of court in the General Court Martial, and Dr. Kizza Besigye, among others,” Onyango said.
The suspects include Agatha Atuhairwe (mobilizer), Otieno George, Toko Godwin, Mubala Akram, Norah Kobusinge, Khatondi Wepuhulu and Aloikin Praise Opoloje
“Notably, two of the arrested women, Norah Kobusinge and Aloikin Praise, had previously participated in a naked walk to parliament. The suspects are currently being held at CPS Kampala, and their case files are being prepared for the State Attorney and subsequent court proceedings on charges of being a common nuisance,” Onyango said.