Human rights activist and lawyer Steven Kalali has filed a petition with the East African Court of Justice, challenging the nine-month sentence of Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye’s lawyer, Eron Kiiza, by the Military General Court Martial in Makindye.
Kalali argues that the sentence, imposed by the General Court Martial chaired by Brig Gen. Freeman Mugabe, is illegal and violates the principles enshrined in the East African Community (EAC) Treaty.
He cites Articles 6 (D) and 7 (2), which obligate partner states to uphold the rule of law and democratic governance.
Kalali contends that Kiiza was convicted of contempt of court without a fair hearing, thus breaching his rights and violating the treaty provisions on justice and fairness.
On January 14, 2025, the General Court Martial in Makindye dismissed an application from the defence teams of Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, who argued that the charge sheet for new treason charges against their clients was defective.
The court’s chairman, BBrig. Gen. Mugabe, ruled that the extradition process was lawful, stressing that the court has the authority to prosecute the accused under Ugandan law.
Besigye and Kamulegeya had initially refused to plead to the new treason charges, citing concerns about the court’s jurisdiction to try civilians for alleged offences committed outside Uganda.
The charges involved crimes reportedly committed in Greece, Switzerland, and Kenya, leading to disputes over the court’s territorial jurisdiction.
The defence also contested the legality of Besigye’s arrest in Kenya and his subsequent extradition to Uganda, arguing that due process was not followed.
However, Brig. Gen. Mugabe instructed the accused to plead to the new charge. The prosecution maintained that interstate arrangements had been used to bring the suspects back to Uganda for trial, countering the defence’s objections.
