Tension has flared at the Uganda People’s Defense Forces-UPDF General Court Martial following the arrest of Eron Kiiza, a lawyer representing Dr. Kizza Besigye. He was arrested this morning following a heated altercation with military police officers.
Kiiza reportedly clashed with officers after they barred him from accessing the bar area within the courtroom. In protest, the visibly angry lawyer banged on the metallic barricade separating the audience from the bar and court panel members, insisting on his right to join the bar.
Court Martial Chairperson Robert Mugabe ordered Kiiza’s arrest. Witnesses said Kiiza was manhandled, beaten, punched, and strangled before being forcibly removed from the courtroom. He was initially taken to the holding cells but managed to escape and joined Besigye and co-accused Abeid Lutaale in the dock.
Security officers swiftly intervened, forcibly removing him once again and escorting him back to the cells amid further physical abuse. Earlier, several opposition members attending the proceedings, including former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza and activist Ingrid Turinawe, complained of harassment and unfair treatment by security personnel as they attempted to access the court premises.
The Court Martial, convened to hear the case of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Abeid Lutaale, who face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, was adjourned for 30 minutes due to the chaos. Reports indicate that some court members fled the scene for their safety.
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Supporters of Dr. Besigye condemned Kiiza’s arrest and accused the Court Martial of operating like a “kangaroo court.” “This is sheer intimidation. Arresting a lawyer in the courtroom is unacceptable. Uganda is bleeding,” one supporter lamented. The group has called for Kiiza’s immediate release, insisting, “Enough is enough.”
