Besigye’s Kenyan Lawyer Martha Karua denied entry into Uganda ahead of Erias Lukwago court proceedings
According to information released by the Uganda Law Society, Karua was denied entry upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and instructed to return to Kenya. No official reason for the decision was immediately communicated to her.
Kenyan lawyer and senior counsel Martha Karua was on Monday morning denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, in a move that has drawn criticism from the Uganda Law Society and raised fresh questions about the ongoing legal proceedings involving opposition politician Kizza Besigye, and now former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago who.was arrested last week.
Karua, who serves as lead counsel for Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale, had travelled to Kampala to join the defence team in court proceedings related to the high-profile treason case, and Lukwago.
According to information released by the Uganda Law Society, Karua was denied entry upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and instructed to return to Kenya. No official reason for the decision was immediately communicated to her.
Karua had travelled alongside Cavin Kanjama, President of the Law Society of Kenya, who was reportedly cleared and allowed into the country.
The Kenyan lawyer had been has been working alongside fellow defence counsel Erias Lukwago in representing Besigye and Lutale.
Lukwago, a former Kampala Lord Mayor, is currently facing a charge of misprision of treason. He has appeared before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court for the mention of his case and a ruling on his bail application. The ruling was expected to be delivered at 2pm, Monday.
The Uganda Law Society condemned the incident, describing it as unfortunate and disappointing.
Its Vice President, Anthony Asiimwe, expressed concern over the decision to block Karua’s entry despite her role as counsel in an ongoing court matter.
“The denial of entry to a legal practitioner expected to participate in judicial proceedings is unfortunate and disappointing,” Asiimwe said.
Karua had reportedly intended to follow up on legal matters relating to Lukwago’s detention and to participate in the defence strategy for Besigye and Lutale.
The incident comes amid heightened public interest in the cases involving Besigye, Lutale and Lukwago, which have attracted attention from legal professionals, civil society organisations and political observers both within Uganda and across the region.
By Monday afternoon , immigration authorities had not publicly issued a statement explaining the circumstances surrounding Karua’s denial of entry.
The development is likely to fuel debate over access to legal representation in politically sensitive cases and could prompt calls for clarification from government authorities regarding the decision.
Karua, a prominent Kenyan advocate and former Justice Minister, has previously been involved in several high-profile legal and political matters across East Africa and has been part of Besigye’s defence team in recent court proceedings.
Meanwhile, proceedings involving Lukwago, Besigye and Lutale continue before Ugandan courts as legal teams pursue bail applications and other pre-trial matters.
