Drama unfolded at Makindye General Court Martial during the trial of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye when one of his lawyers, Eron Kiiza, was arrested and whisked away under controversial circumstances.
The incident occurred during a heated exchange between Kiiza and a soldier who attempted to block him from taking a seat alongside other members of the defence team.
Witnesses say Kiiza, visibly angered, insisted on his right to sit where his colleagues were.
“Get out of my way, I need to proceed. I’m a lawyer. Like it or not, I have to go there,” Kiiza was heard telling the soldier.
As proceedings continued, defence lawyer Erias Lukwago raised concerns about the court’s conduct.
“Don’t conduct this as an LC court. You seem to be acting on the orders of the judge advocate. This court is subject to law. Do we have a right of audience?” Lukwago demanded, challenging the court’s handling of the legal proceedings.
In response, Judge Advocate Brigadier-General Richard Tukacungurwa firmly asserted his authority. “I am mandated to advise court on all matters of law.
This court is not a tribunal, and to refer to it as such is contempt of court,” he declared, emphasizing the need for respect and order within the courtroom.
Ms Martha Karua, a senior counsel representing Besigye, took issue with the treatment of the defence team.
“An advocate should not be refused from approaching court,” Karua argued. “The absence of Eron Kiiza is fundamental, and we need to hear from him. There was an intention to assault him. This is a matter of life and death.”
The standoff escalated when the soldier manhandled Kiiza and shoved him into the dock, drawing gasps from the courtroom.
Moments later, armed personnel forcibly removed him from the courtroom and whisked him away to an undisclosed location.
The arrest has sparked outrage among the legal fraternity and human rights defenders, who view it as an attack on the independence of lawyers and the right to a fair trial.
Dr. Besigye’s legal team has vowed to challenge the arrest and seek Kiiza’s immediate release.
