The DPP Jane Frances Abodo stands against jailed lawyer Eron Kiiza's request for bail. She points to serious issues with the charges he faces. Kiiza received a nine-month prison term from the General Court Martial under Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe on January 7, 2025. The court found him guilty of contempt.
About three weeks ago, Kiiza asked for bail. He lives in Central Kiwatule Zone, Nakawa Division, Kampala City, an area the High Court oversees. He named three people ready to stand as his sureties. These include his wife Sylvia Tumwebaze, who manages archives at Hima Cement, plus two lawyer friends - Dr. Busingye Kabumba, who teaches at Makerere University, and Primah Kwagala, who runs Women's Pro Bono Initiative.
Kiiza says he has three young kids aged 4 to 10 who need their dad around. He argues that prison hurts his family duties and his work since he remains the only partner at Kiiza and Mugisha Company Advocates. He asked the court to free him based on good behavior and his pending appeal, which he believes will succeed.
The DPP fought back through Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo. His affidavit states that Kiiza should have known proper court behavior as a lawyer. They claim his conviction shows courts need protection, making bail restrictions necessary. The DPP listed 11 reasons to deny bail and demanded that Kiiza prove all his claims.
Kyomuhendo noted the Supreme Court ruling from Constitutional Appeal No. 02 of 2021 applies only to regular citizens tried under Section 119, not lawyers charged with contempt under Sections 169 and 212 of the UPDF Act. He added that Kiiza failed to show any special reasons for bail approval. The DPP also claimed his sureties lack substance since they live in different places and cannot control him.
The prosecution thinks his appeal has no chance because the High Court lacks authority in this matter. They argue the Court Martial Appeals Court should handle it instead. They also reject his claim that court backlogs will delay his case, stating High Courts process cases efficiently. The DPP urged the court to keep Kiiza locked up to maintain court respect.
Kiiza landed in trouble on January 7 when representing Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale. He states armed military police blocked him from approaching the bar without explanation. When he insisted on his right to access as a lawyer, things turned violent. The court clerk pushed him away; then military police attacked him with blows, kicks, and batons.
They dragged him from the courtroom to the dock, beating him the entire time. The assault continued in the holding cells until other inmates stepped in to help him. The court sentenced him to nine months for contempt. He has already served over two months at Kitalya Min-Max prison. Last month, Judge Douglas Singinza dismissed his habeas corpus request due to incorrect filing. Judge Michael Elubu will hear his bail application on March 25, 2025.
About three weeks ago, Kiiza asked for bail. He lives in Central Kiwatule Zone, Nakawa Division, Kampala City, an area the High Court oversees. He named three people ready to stand as his sureties. These include his wife Sylvia Tumwebaze, who manages archives at Hima Cement, plus two lawyer friends - Dr. Busingye Kabumba, who teaches at Makerere University, and Primah Kwagala, who runs Women's Pro Bono Initiative.
Kiiza says he has three young kids aged 4 to 10 who need their dad around. He argues that prison hurts his family duties and his work since he remains the only partner at Kiiza and Mugisha Company Advocates. He asked the court to free him based on good behavior and his pending appeal, which he believes will succeed.
The DPP fought back through Chief State Attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo. His affidavit states that Kiiza should have known proper court behavior as a lawyer. They claim his conviction shows courts need protection, making bail restrictions necessary. The DPP listed 11 reasons to deny bail and demanded that Kiiza prove all his claims.
Kyomuhendo noted the Supreme Court ruling from Constitutional Appeal No. 02 of 2021 applies only to regular citizens tried under Section 119, not lawyers charged with contempt under Sections 169 and 212 of the UPDF Act. He added that Kiiza failed to show any special reasons for bail approval. The DPP also claimed his sureties lack substance since they live in different places and cannot control him.
The prosecution thinks his appeal has no chance because the High Court lacks authority in this matter. They argue the Court Martial Appeals Court should handle it instead. They also reject his claim that court backlogs will delay his case, stating High Courts process cases efficiently. The DPP urged the court to keep Kiiza locked up to maintain court respect.
Kiiza landed in trouble on January 7 when representing Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale. He states armed military police blocked him from approaching the bar without explanation. When he insisted on his right to access as a lawyer, things turned violent. The court clerk pushed him away; then military police attacked him with blows, kicks, and batons.
They dragged him from the courtroom to the dock, beating him the entire time. The assault continued in the holding cells until other inmates stepped in to help him. The court sentenced him to nine months for contempt. He has already served over two months at Kitalya Min-Max prison. Last month, Judge Douglas Singinza dismissed his habeas corpus request due to incorrect filing. Judge Michael Elubu will hear his bail application on March 25, 2025.
