Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Mr Isaac Ssemakadde has strongly denied and dismissed and false, false allegations and misinformation that he asked jailed lawyer Eron Kiiza to apologize in order to gain his freedom.
Kiiza, who is a member of the 40-man legal team representing remanded opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale was last week arrested and sent to Kitalya Prison for 9 months over what the General Court Martial at Makindye described as ‘contempt of court’.
In the aftermath of Kiiza’s jail sentence, a group of human rights activists led by lawyer Agather Atuhaire pinned the Uganda Law Society to come out and protest the ‘unfair trial and sentence’ of the jailed advocate, but their plea fell on deaf ears as ULS distanced itself from the organized protests.
Barely a week after the controversial trial and sentence of the advocate, rumours started circulating on social media on Monday, January 13, (yesterday) suggesting that Ssemakadde, in his capacity as the ULS President had privately met Kiiza at Kitalya, and asked him to apologize to the first son “so that he can regain his freedom.”
“The president of Uganda Law Society a one Isaac Ssemakade visited Kiiza Eron & asked him to apologize to Muhoozi Kainerugaba so Eron can regain his freedom! Eron is currently at Kitalya prison serving a 9 months sentence for contempt of court,” NinyeTabz posted last evening on his X account.
“Somebody said that they saw this dude chilling with one of the CEOs of a certain news website here, which website was alleged to be largely co-owned by Muhoozi, who in fact used to share the website’s content on his timeline. Now connect the dots,” another X user commented.
Responding to the grievous allegations, Ssemakadde Tuesday morning issued a press release refuting the claims as ‘baseless and untrue’, urging the public to rely on credible sources of information rather than speculation.
“We strongly denounce the false allegations and misinformation circulating about Eron Kiiza’s imprisonment. The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has been working tirelessly to address the situation, and it is essential to rely on credible sources rather than speculation and rumours,” Ssemakadde stated, explaining that ULS as an organization has instituted three fact-finding delegations to investigate the circumstances surrounding Kiiza’s incarceration.
These delegations, he said, aim to assess the situation, explore potential remedies, and ensure that the rights of Eron Kiiza and all other advocates appearing before the military courts are protected.
Ssemakadde condemned those he described as self-seekers and provocateurs who are exploiting this situation for their own gain. “Their reckless and irresponsible actions are causing harm to Kiiza, his family, the Uganda Prisons Service, the ULS, and the broader community,” he emphasized.
The ULS President urged the public to remain cautious and patient, urging everyone to await the ULS’s comprehensive statement on the matter. “Let us prioritize truth and respect the legal process. We must seek justice and accountability through lawful channels and avoid spreading misinformation,” he noted.
But Nyine, moments later, posted again on his X handle castigating Ssemakadde for denying the allegations, saying; “Btw, Ssemakade didn’t go to Kitalya alone. The people he went with know & can collaborate the facts. Even at the point when he asked everyone to give him & a few others “space to talk to Eron as ULS” & even when Eron loudly said “I can’t apologize for that, everyone was watching!”
“Also he should stop this back & forth with senseless documents/statements and come here, write it in black and white that he did not at any point ask Eron to apologize to Muhoozi awo zabikke emipiira! Mind him, not all the people that he went with are willing to protect his ass!” Nyine added.
However, Ssemakadde has made it clear that the organization will not engage with those attempting to politicize or sensationalize Kiiza’s situation. Instead, Ssemakadde said, their focus remains on supporting Kiiza and his family, while advocating for the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Uganda.
He also expressed gratitude to Hon. Martha Karua, SC, for “speaking to us last evening, and for appreciating the rationale of the ULS process.”
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