Lawyer Eron Kiiza has sharply responded to President Yoweri Museveni’s recent remarks on Dr. Kizza Besigye, accusing the head of state of undermining constitutional protections through his public comments on the opposition leader’s case.
In a statement following Museveni’s Saturday address, Kiiza argued that the President’s position effectively contradicts the fundamental principles of justice, particularly the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
Museveni had earlier accused Besigye of deliberately refusing to stand trial and misusing the legal system, framing the matter as a legal process rather than a political dispute.
However, Kiiza dismissed this narrative, insisting that the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s court appearances point to deeper concerns about due process.
“As Besigye has advised Museveni on two recent court appearances in which his rights were in jeopardy, the President must stop the pretense,” Kiiza said, before outlining what he described as the logical extension of Museveni’s position.
Kiiza challenged the government to formalize what he termed as “unconstitutional practices” through legal amendments.
He listed three proposals, including the legalization of detention without trial, allowing the state to appoint defense lawyers, and reversing the constitutional presumption of innocence.
According to the lawyer, such changes would align the law with what he believes is already being implied in the handling of Besigye’s case.
He warned that shifting the burden of proof from the prosecution to the accused would fundamentally erode the justice system.
“The Constitution places the burden on the state to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. What is being suggested instead is an inversion where the accused must prove their innocence,” Kiiza argued.
The remarks highlight growing tensions between the government and legal practitioners over the interpretation of Besigye’s case. Critics have increasingly raised concerns about judicial independence and the protection of civil liberties.
Kiiza’s response adds to a widening debate on the rule of law in Uganda, as legal experts and opposition figures continue to scrutinize the government’s approach to high-profile political cases.