- Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale are facing legal confusion after their colleague Eron Kiiza was sentenced to nine months in prison for contempt of court
- Kiiza was arrested in Kampala's military court after a confrontation with a soldier who prevented him from going to the lawyers' section.
- The defense lawyers, including Martha Karua and Erias Lukwago, refused to continue with the case, wanting Kiiza to be present, citing illegal detention and assault
- Brigadier Freeman Mugabe approved Kiiza's sentence and adjourned the case of Besigye and Lutale until January 13 for further mention
Leader of the opposition in the country UgandaKizza Besigye, and his assistant, Obeid Lutale, have been hit by legal turmoil following the jailing of their colleague, Eron Kiiza.
Source: UGC
Kiiza, a member of the defense team, was sentenced to nine months in Kitalya Prison by a military court on Tuesday, January 7, for contempt of court.
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His quick sentencing occurred amid riotous events at the High Court Martial in Kampala.
According to witnesses, Kiiza was arrested while trying to take his seat among other lawyers before the court session was delayed.
A confrontation broke out when a soldier prevented him from reaching the area reserved for lawyers.
“Get out of my way, I need to move on. I'm a lawyer. Like it or not, I have to go there (where other defense lawyers were sitting in the courtroom),” an angry Kiiza reportedly told the police before being detained. and leave,” as reported by the Monitor.
Why did Karua refuse to proceed with the case
The defense team, led by Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua and Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago, expressed their displeasure with Kiiza's detention.
Karua addressed the court presided over by Brigadier Freeman Mugabe, and said that their clients, Besigye and Lutale, instructed them not to proceed without Kiiza's presence.
“We have been able to confirm with our clients, they would like to continue with all the lawyers present including Kiiza. The absence of Eron Kiiza is a very basic issue. Eron Kizza is a High Court lawyer. He should not have been there and he was prevented from entering. He was attacked and taken away.
The way this court is handling this issue seems as if it was intended to get him attacked. We have been harassed and scrutinized and it is exhausting,” Karua told the court.
Prosecutor Colonel Raphael Mugisha challenged the defense's position, recommending more charges against Kiiza.
Following a brief reprieve, Mugabe approved Kiiza's imprisonment without mentioning the contempt charges.
The court then adjourned the case of Besigye and Lutale until January 13 for further mention.
How was Kizza Besigye kidnapped?
Besigye's detention followed an alleged abduction in Nairobi, and was quickly brought before a Ugandan military court.
Alleged kidnapping happened shortly after attending the launch of the Narc-Kenya leader's book.
In response, Besigye has taken legal action against the governments of Uganda and Kenya, filing a case in the East African Court for violating his rights.
Editing by Asher Omondi, current affairs reporter and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
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