The High Court just gave human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza bail as he waits for his appeal case. Justice Michael Elubu made this choice after many people worried about Kiiza being locked up by military courts. To stay free, Kiiza must pay 20 million Ugandan shillings in cash. His helpers each promised 50 million shillings if he ran away.
The court told Kiiza he needs to check in with the High Court office every first Monday of each month. He also had to hand over his passport. This stops him from leaving Uganda unless the court says yes. Kiiza helps defend famous people who speak against the government. Police arrested him when he worked for Dr. Kizza Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya.
The military court sent him to Kitalya Mini Max Prison for nine months. They claimed he disrespected their court, which angered many people both inside Uganda and around the world. Kiiza fought back, saying regular courts should handle his case, not military ones. His lawyers pointed to a big Supreme Court case from 2025 that said military courts could not fairly try regular citizens.
Kiiza also tried another way to fight his case through habeas corpus. Judge Douglas Singiza turned this down because Kiiza did not file papers correctly. Legal experts say the bail decision helps protect the law system, but more work needs to be done. They see this case as very important for how Uganda treats lawyers who defend political cases. His main appeal keeps moving forward and might change how military courts work forever.
The court told Kiiza he needs to check in with the High Court office every first Monday of each month. He also had to hand over his passport. This stops him from leaving Uganda unless the court says yes. Kiiza helps defend famous people who speak against the government. Police arrested him when he worked for Dr. Kizza Besigye and Haji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya.
The military court sent him to Kitalya Mini Max Prison for nine months. They claimed he disrespected their court, which angered many people both inside Uganda and around the world. Kiiza fought back, saying regular courts should handle his case, not military ones. His lawyers pointed to a big Supreme Court case from 2025 that said military courts could not fairly try regular citizens.
Kiiza also tried another way to fight his case through habeas corpus. Judge Douglas Singiza turned this down because Kiiza did not file papers correctly. Legal experts say the bail decision helps protect the law system, but more work needs to be done. They see this case as very important for how Uganda treats lawyers who defend political cases. His main appeal keeps moving forward and might change how military courts work forever.
