In a major legal breakthrough, the High Court has ordered the release of prominent lawyer Kiiza Eron’s passport, putting an end to a long wait that had kept him grounded in Uganda. The passport had been withheld due to contempt of court charges, but Justice David Matovu has now ruled that there was no legal reason to continue holding onto it.
In the decision announced on June 25, 2025, the judge stated that while Kiiza did not provide medical documents to support his request to travel, the original court order requiring him to deposit his passport did not state that medical proof was necessary for its release. As a result, the court found it unfair to use that as a reason to keep his passport.
The government’s legal team had argued that there was a risk Kiiza might not return to the country if allowed to travel. However, Justice Matovu pointed out that Kiiza had previously traveled abroad using temporary travel documents while on bail and returned to Uganda without any issue. This showed, according to the court, that he was not a flight risk.
The judge also emphasized that the initial order to deposit the passport was not meant as a punishment but simply to make sure Kiiza would be present for his appeal hearings. With all things considered, the court ruled in Kiiza’s favor.
Justice Matovu’s ruling clearly states, “This application is hereby allowed and the applicant’s passport no AA00541257 should be released to him to enable him travel and get treatment abroad and this passport should be returned to this court as soon as the applicant returns to Uganda.”
For Kiiza, this ruling is more than just legal relief—it is a personal victory. He has said that the delay in releasing his passport had caused him to miss out on several important opportunities, including medical treatment. Now, with his passport in hand, he can finally travel and take care of his health.
This judgment stands as an important reminder of the balance between court procedures and individual rights. For Kiiza Eron, it’s a moment of justice, freedom, and perhaps a new beginning.
