A prominent Ugandan lawyer has been charged with treason, marking an intensification of the government's campaign against legal opposition figures. Eron Kiiza, known for representing high-profile political detainees, appeared before a military court in Kampala on Tuesday. The charge stems from allegations that he collaborated with rebel groups, a claim his legal team dismisses as politically motivated.
The case has drawn international concern, with human rights organisations condemning it as part of a broader pattern of judicial harassment. Kiiza's arrest follows a series of detentions targeting lawyers, journalists, and opposition politicians critical of President Yoweri Museveni's administration.
Prosecutors allege that Kiiza met with representatives of the Allied Democratic Forces, a group designated as a terrorist organisation by the Ugandan government. His lawyers argue that the evidence is circumstantial and that the charges are intended to silence dissent.
The development comes ahead of the 2026 general election, raising questions about the state of democratic institutions in Uganda. The European Union has called for due process, while the United States has expressed concern over the shrinking space for civil society.
Kiiza remains in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for next week. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of death.
