The Kampala High Court has turned down a request from lawyer Eron Kiiza to be released. He is in jail and argued that a new Supreme Court ruling stops civilians from being tried in military courts. Kiiza is friends with opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. He believes his long time in jail isn't right based on this ruling.

On Monday, Judge Dr. Douglas Singiza explained that Kiiza's case was not filed in the right spot. Kiiza had already taken his case to the Court Martial Appeals Court. The judge said this should have gone there, not to the High Court's Civil Division. He also noted that Kiiza needed to ask for a judicial review, not a habeas corpus application, to challenge his detention.

Kiiza's lawyer, Peter Mukidi Walubiri, argued that the Supreme Court's ruling makes Kiiza's conviction invalid. He called for Kiiza to be let go or tried in a civilian court if there are new charges. Walubiri also pointed to past cases where military trials were moved to civilian courts.

Senior State Attorney Johnson Natuhwera opposed Kiiza's request. He argued that Kiiza's conviction is still in effect. Natuhwera emphasized that the Supreme Court ruling sets a guideline for the future but does not cancel the General Court Martial. He mentioned that Kiiza's nine-month sentence has been approved by the Supreme Court and should be addressed by the right authorities.

Kiiza was convicted by the General Court Martial on January 9, 2025, for supporting Besigye and Lutaale in a treason case. Now, his lawyers will look for other legal options after the High Court's decision.