Uganda: DPP Wants Besigye Lawyer Eron Kiiza Jailed Over Witness Posts

What the report says

Uganda’s Director of Public Prosecutions has asked the High Court Criminal Division in Kampala to hold lawyer Eron Kiiza in criminal contempt over social media posts linked to the ongoing treason case against opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and two co-accused. According to the Nile Post report distributed by AllAfrica, prosecutors say Kiiza’s comments on X crossed the sub judice line by discussing the evidence and credibility of a state witness before that witness had testified.

The application says the posts focused on a witness identified as Andrew Wilson Orlando and included language the prosecution says could prejudice the trial, intimidate witnesses and undermine the administration of justice. The DPP is also alleging that Kiiza wrote to state-appointed defence lawyers in the case urging them to stop acting for the accused, which prosecutors describe as part of an effort to interfere with the proceedings.

The prosecution wants the court to declare Kiiza guilty of contempt outside the courtroom, fine him or commit him to civil prison, and order him to delete the posts, stop commenting further on the merits of the case and publish a court-approved apology and retraction. The treason case itself remains before the High Court in Kampala.

Kiiza is a High Court advocate representing Besigye and his co-accused. The report notes that he previously faced a separate contempt case before Uganda’s military court in 2025, a matter that drew criticism from legal and human rights groups over the use of a military forum for a civilian lawyer. The High Court has not yet ruled on the new application.