The opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has condemned the brutal arrest and nine-month sentence of the city lawyer and activist Eron Kiiza by the General Military Court Martial, Makindye.

While addressing the press at the party head offices at Uganda House in Kampala on January 8, 2025, the UPC party spokesperson, Sharon Oyat Arach, said however much the court has the power to sentence anyone for contempt of court, the brutal arrest of Eron Kiiza and the nine-month’ sentence was harsh.

“We condemn the circumstances under which Eron Kiiza was arrested, but also, why would you give someone nine months in jail for contempt of court? There is a lack of goodwill, and as UPC we are saying the sentence was harsh. We advocate for the Supreme Court to intervene and rule out the trial of civilians in military courts,” Arach said.

Eron Kiiza, who is among Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s top lawyers, was arrested at Makindye court martial on January 7, 2025, and immediately sentenced to nine months in prison by the presiding court martial chairperson, Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe.

Kiiza was found guilty of gross misconduct and contempt of court after he had used force to access the bench for Besigye’s lawyers and was denied by the court orderlies, which resulted in a scuffle leading to his arrest.

On the issue of the directive by President Museveni to not give suspects police bond, the UPC spokesperson said that the parliament still has a responsibility to deliberate on the issue and have it cleared before the general public.

The UPC head of communications, Muzeyi Faizal, said that as UPC, the issue of the police bond should be dealt with according to the existing Ugandan laws, and the timing of its introduction is very skeptical.

In his statement, President Museveni expressed concern that individuals out on bail have been repeatedly arrested for similar or related crimes, a trend that he claims threatens public safety.