After almost 90 days in prison, Mr. Kiiza Eron, one of the defense lawyers of remanded veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, was released on a Shs20 million cash bail by Justice Micheal Elubu.
By 9 am, the legal fraternity and civil society had, in fairly huge numbers, already camped at the High Court in Kampala to show support for their learned colleague.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
The crowd filling the High Court in Kampala erupted in chorused jubilation as a section of lawyers, opposition supporters, friends, and relatives celebrated renowned human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza’s release on bail.
“In the result, I find that the applicant, Eron Kizza, qualifies for admission on bail pending appeal,” ruled Justice Elubu, registrar Ssalmu Ngoobi reading out his court decision, later adding, “The applicant shall execute a cash bond of Shs20 million, and each surety is bonded at Shs50 million only.”
Mr. Kiiza’s family and opposition members who had filled up the court chanted the Uganda national anthem and liberation songs like, “We shall never, never, never surrender.”
The law practitioner was also ordered to deposit his passport with the court and report to the registrar of court every first Monday of the month for an extension of his bail.
Mr. Kiiza was, on January 7, 2025, summarily convicted and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment by the General Court Martial sitting in Makindye, Kampala, for contempt of court.
Justice Elubu said that he was convinced that the appeal in which counsel Kiiza is challenging his sentence could be served in full before it is heard, given the slow pace at which the transfer of case files is being done from the military courts to civilian courts with competent jurisdiction, as directed by the Supreme Court in January this year.
The jurist also observed that the three sureties, Dr. Busingye Kabumba, a lecturer at Makerere University who is also his cousin; Ms. Primah Kwagala, a lawyer; and Mr. Kiiza’s wife, were substantial enough to compel him to report to court.
The judge also noted that Mr. Kiiza has a fixed place of abode in Central Zone A in Kiwatule.
Whoever wanted to access the courtroom was subjected to a thorough body search by the counterterrorism police.
Also Read: Authorities Launch Investigations as Anthrax Kills Two in Kazo
