The General Court Martial sitting in Makindye has sentenced prominent lawyer Kiiza Eron to nine months in Kitalya Government Prison after finding him guilty of contempt of court. The ruling, delivered by Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe, follows a series of alleged misconduct incidents during court proceedings in Case No. UPDF/GCM/040/2024.
Advocate Kiiza Eron, who was representing Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye and another defendant, first came under scrutiny on December 10, 2024. During that session, he was warned for what the court described as “gross professional misconduct,” which was deemed contemptuous. Despite being cautioned and educated on relevant laws governing courtroom decorum, Eron’s behavior reportedly escalated during subsequent appearances.
Today, upon entering the courtroom, Kiiza Eron allegedly confronted a court orderly who was guiding him to his designated seat. Witnesses say the confrontation turned physical, with the lawyer reportedly assaulting the orderly and banging on the metal angle bars at the courtroom entrance.
The presiding judge, Brig. Gen. Mugabe, intervened by issuing a warning to Eron. However, the situation reportedly deteriorated further as Eron continued to disrupt proceedings, accompanied by cheers from the audience in the courtroom. The court deemed his actions not only disruptive but also an affront to its authority.
In his ruling, Brig. Gen. Mugabe stated, “This court finds the accused’s conduct in contempt of this court and finds Kiiza Eron guilty of the offence.” The court sentenced him to nine months imprisonment, to be served at Kitalya Government Prison.
The ruling has sparked mixed reactions from legal experts and the public. Supporters of Eron argue that the sentence is excessive and reflective of a tense relationship between the judiciary and outspoken advocates. Meanwhile, others insist that courtroom decorum must be upheld to maintain the integrity of judicial processes.
This case is the latest development in an ongoing legal battle involving high-profile figures, drawing national attention to the operations of the General Court Martial and the conduct of legal practitioners in Uganda.