In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through legal and political circles in East Africa, renowned Kenyan lawyer and Senior Counsel Martha Karua was on Monday denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe International Airport and instructed to return to Kenya.
Karua, who serves as lead counsel for detained opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale in a high-profile treason case, had arrived in the country to bolster the defence team supporting her colleague, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Lukwago is currently facing separate charges of misprision of treason linked to the Besigye case.
According to the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Karua was part of a delegation that included Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama. While Kanjama and other members were cleared by immigration officials, Karua was singled out, blocked from entry, and directed to board a flight back home. No official reason was provided by authorities for the decision.
ULS Deputy President Antony Asiimwe, who was at the airport to receive the team, expressed disappointment: “We came to receive the team from Kenya… but when we reached the airport, we were made to understand that only two members of the team were allowed. Senior Counsel Martha Karua was not allowed to enter the country and she is being deported.”
The incident comes on the same day Lukwago appeared in Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court for a bail ruling. The court deferred its decision, remanding him back to Luzira Prison. Karua’s presence had been anticipated to strengthen the defence amid growing concerns over the handling of opposition-related cases.
Karua is a highly respected figure in regional legal circles, having previously represented Besigye and participated in other high-stakes proceedings. Her denial of entry has raised questions about judicial cooperation, freedom of movement for legal practitioners within the East African Community, and potential political motivations.
Legal bodies and human rights observers have condemned the move, describing it as a setback to cross-border collaboration in the administration of justice. Calls are mounting for the Ugandan government to clarify the reasons behind the decision and uphold principles of due process and regional integration.
This is not the first time Karua has faced entry challenges in the region; she was previously denied access to Tanzania earlier this year. The latest incident is likely to fuel debates on democratic space and the treatment of opposition voices and their legal representatives.
