ENTEBBE, Uganda — Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua was on Monday denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, triggering concern among legal practitioners and human rights advocates in both Uganda and Kenya.
Karua, who serves as lead counsel for opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale, had travelled to Uganda ahead of court proceedings involving members of the opposition legal team.
According to the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Karua was ordered to return to Kenya shortly after landing at Entebbe International Airport. The lawyers’ body said no official reason had been communicated to her regarding the decision.
In a statement posted on social media, the Uganda Law Society said:
“Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale’s lead counsel Hon. Martha Karua, SC, was denied entry at Entebbe International Airport. She has been ordered to return and given no reason.”
The ULS further noted that Karua had arrived alongside the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Charles Kanjama, who was permitted to enter Uganda.
The development was confirmed by ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, who was among officials at the airport to receive the Kenyan delegation on behalf of ULS President Isaac Ssemakadde.
Karua’s visit came against the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings involving Dr. Besigye and Lutale, whom she has been representing in court. Earlier this year, she was at the centre of a legal dispute over her temporary practising certificate in Uganda, although she had previously been granted permission to appear in the matter.
Lawyer Eron Kiiza, a member of Besigye’s legal team, alleged that Karua had travelled to observe court proceedings involving lawyer and opposition figure Erias Lukwago. In a social media statement, Kiiza described the move as an attempt to frustrate the defence team, although authorities had not publicly commented on the allegation by press time.
The incident has already drawn attention from legal bodies in the region. The Uganda Law Society and the Law Society of Kenya have in recent months collaborated on issues relating to legal representation, rule of law and access to justice, particularly in cases involving opposition figures.
As of Monday evening, immigration authorities and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had not issued an official statement explaining the reasons for denying Karua entry into the country.
The incident is likely to spark further debate within legal and political circles, given Karua’s prominent role in several high-profile cases in East Africa and her involvement in the legal defence of Dr. Besigye and other opposition leaders.
Observers said attention will now turn to whether Ugandan authorities provide a formal explanation for the decision and what implications it may have for ongoing court proceedings involving her clients.
By press time, Karua had not publicly indicated her next course of action.