Ugandan authorities are urged to release opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his lawyer, Eron Kiiza, whose detentions violate recent Supreme Court rulings. Besigye’s health is deteriorating due to a hunger strike protesting his imprisonment. Approximately 44 other civilians are also in detention due to being subjected to military trials, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against such practices.
Uganda is urged to liberate Kizza Besigye, a former presidential candidate, as his health worsens due to a hunger strike amidst his ongoing detention. Besigye’s imprisonment follows a Supreme Court ruling on January 31, 2025, which deemed military trials of civilians unconstitutional, requiring their transfer to civilian courts.
After being abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024, Besigye was taken into Ugandan military custody, faced military court charges, and was subsequently remanded to Luzira maximum security prison in Kampala. He has been on a hunger strike protesting his detention, which continues despite the court’s directive.
Eron Kiiza, Besigye’s lawyer, was also sentenced to nine months in prison on January 7, 2025, after being charged with “contempt of court”. Kiiza criticized military practices publicly and was denied a fair trial or legal representation before being convicted.
The Human Rights Watch reports that at least 44 civilians, many affiliated with the opposition party, are currently imprisoned due to military trials, primarily stemming from arrests during the 2021 elections. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Ugandan authorities have yet to act on these decisions for Besigye and other detainees.
The continued arbitrary detention of civilians by Ugandan authorities violates both the recent Supreme Court ruling as well as international human rights laws that protect liberty, security, and fair trial rights. Uganda is called to respect human rights and the rule of law, demanding the release of Besigye, Kiiza, and other unjustly detained individuals.
The article emphasizes that Ugandan authorities must heed the Supreme Court ruling on military trials and ensure the immediate release of Kizza Besigye and Eron Kiiza. It highlights the urgent need for upholding human rights and legal standards, as continued detention undermines both constitutional mandates and international obligations. Raising awareness on this issue is crucial for the protection of rights in Uganda.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
