Kiiza is currently serving a nine-month prison sentence for contempt of court. The meeting, initially planned to deliberate on Kiiza's situation, quickly became heated, as many lawyers voiced their frustration with the Uganda Law Society (ULS) President, Isaac Ssemakadde, for how he had handled the case.
Journalist Simon Kaggwa Njala, who was present at the meeting, reported that the atmosphere grew stormy.
Several lawyers, especially from a new radical faction, openly criticized Ssemakadde for not showing enough urgency or strong support for Kiiza.
They pointed out that Kiiza had been an important ally to Ssemakadde in the past, defending him during difficult times.
Despite this, the critics felt that Ssemakadde had failed to stand up for Kiiza now that he was in need of legal support.
One of the lawyers at the meeting said, "We need a stronger response, not just words. Eron Kiiza is being punished unjustly, and as lawyers, we must show that we are united and ready to fight for his rights."
Another added, "This isn’t just about Kiiza; it’s about standing up for our profession and protecting the rights of every lawyer."
The frustration grew as the lawyers felt that Ssemakadde’s actions were not enough to make a strong statement about the importance of protecting lawyers who face legal challenges, especially those who speak out against the government.
They accused him of not showing the same solidarity that Kiiza had shown him during challenging times.
Despite the disagreement, the meeting ended with a call for greater action. The lawyers agreed that a more aggressive response was needed to defend Kiiza and to ensure that such situations do not undermine the profession.
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Politics