A legal firestorm is brewing in Kampala. Eron Kiiza, a prominent Ugandan lawyer and vocal government critic, has been charged with treason. The charge, announced this morning by the Director of Public Prosecutions, stems from Kiiza’s alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the government.
The specifics are murky. Kiiza’s supporters call it a politically motivated attack on the opposition. British barristers are now piling on the pressure.
The Bar Human Rights Committee, a small but influential group of London-based lawyers, has issued a statement demanding “urgent international oversight” of the trial. They cite fears of a “sham proceeding” reminiscent of the Bobi Wine saga. This is a narrative that plays well in Whitehall.
The Foreign Office is watching closely. Sources say Minister for Africa Andrew Mitchell has been briefed. Quiet diplomacy is the preferred route, but barristers want a louder voice.
The case cuts to the heart of a long-standing tension: Britain’s post-colonial relationship with Uganda. Kiiza has long represented opposition figures. His law firm is a hub for human rights cases.
The treason charge is a blunt instrument. Maximum penalty is death. But the political calculation is delicate.
Museveni’s government is adept at using the law as a weapon. British lawyers know this game. They are calling for the charges to be dropped, or at least for fair trial guarantees: access to counsel, no incommunicado detention, an independent judiciary.
The Ugandan High Court will hear bail arguments tomorrow. Expect a packed gallery. British embassy staff will be in attendance.
The story is still breaking. More to come.
