Eron Kiiza (born August 12, 1983) is a Ugandan poet, lawyer, and environmentalist.[1] He is the co-funder of Kiiza & Mugisha Advocates and CEO of The Environment Shield Limited. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda, a member of the Uganda Law Society and the East African Law Society.[2][3] Eron was nominated for the 2022 EU Human Rights Defender of the year. He was awarded by the National Coalition of Human rights Defenders Uganda in 2020 as the Central Uganda Human Rights Defender of the year. He was also recognized by LASPNET as an outstanding Public Interest Lawyer in 2022.[3][4]
Eron Kiiza | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 12, 1983 (age 41) Kabale district, Uganda |
| Education | Rukura Primary School, Kituga day and boarding primary school, Muntuyera High School, Uganda Christian University, Law Development Centre, Uganda Martyrs University, University of Pretoria |
| Occupation(s) | Poet, lawyer, and environmentalist |
| Organization | Kizza & Mugisha Advocates Attorneys |
| Notable work | Lawyer and advocate to Author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija |
| Spouse | Sylvia Tumwebaze |
Early life and education
editEron was born at Kabale Hospital in Kabale District in western Uganda to Asiimwe Maud (mother)and Mbabazi Alban (father) and was brought up in Ntungamo District.[1] He started education from Rukura Primary School and later joined Kitunga day and boarding primary school for his primary education. After his primary education, Eron joined Muntuyera High School for his entire secondary education for six years. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from Uganda Christian University (UCU) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice that he attained from Law Development Centre, Kampala .[1] Eron has also attended courses at Uganda Martyrs University, the University of Pretoria, the Media Legal Defense Initiative, 2015 USA's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the 2018 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the 2019 Stockholm Internet Forum.[2]
Career
editDuring his secondary, Eron thought he would actually become a journalist after being a leader and a new leader for Muntuyera High school. He is currently a member of the Uganda Law Society Rule of law Committee and Human Rights Cluster and the Advisory Committee of Network for Public Interest Lawyers (NETPIL).
Cases
editIn 2021, Eron was part of the legal team that advocated for the release of Nicholas Opiyo a human rights lawyer that was arrested after allegations of money laundering.[5] Eron also spearheaded the campaign against the degradation of Bugoma Forest in Hoima District in the North Western part of Uganda.[5] He represented a group of more than 3000 people who were protesting against their eviction from five villages including Kambuye, Kyabaana, Kikoono, Lwensanga and Kanseera in Mubende District by George Kaweesi from a piece of land measuring 322.5 hectares.[6] Eron was the lawyer and advocate to Author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija during his trials.[7][8][9]
Eron also led climate and environment activists to save and advocate for the conservation of Bugema Forest against Justice Ssekaana and they won.[10]
Personal life
editEron is married to Sylvia Tumwebaze and the couple has two daughters.[1] He enjoys pumpkin, sweet potatoes, indigenous mushrooms, and indigenous chicken as the foods he likes most.[1]
Awards
editSee also
editExternal links
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e LULE, BAKER BATTE. "Eron Kiiza remembers that arrival in Kampala". The Observer – Uganda. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ a b "Kiiza And Mugisha Associates". kiizamugishaadvocates.com. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ a b c "Three shortlisted for 2022 EU Human Rights Defenders Award | EEAS Website". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ "Eron Kiiza". Namati. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ a b c Independent, The (2022-04-29). "Lawyer Eron Kiiza shortlisted for prestigious EU Human Rights Defenders Award". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ "Mubende land case: Over 20 lawyers escort Eron Kiiza as he responds to CID summons". Nile Post. 2019-09-30. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ Bagnetto, Laura Angela (2022-01-10). "Ugandan Writer Rukirabashaija Tortured Over Museveni & Son Criticism – Lawyer". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ "Kakwenza's lawyers were disgraceful – CLF spokesman". New Vision. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
- ^ Kabatto, Dennis. "Ugandan Human Rights Attorney Rebuffs Police Summons for Questioning – Critique Echo Newspaper". Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "BUGOMA FOREST: Justice Ssekaana Pulls Out Of Case After Activists Pressure – Shift Media News". 2021-12-08. Retrieved 2022-08-04.