By Ben Musanje
Uganda’s legal fraternity has rallied behind Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua after she was reportedly blocked from entering Uganda at Entebbe International Airport on Monday, triggering sharp condemnation from both the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and lawyers representing opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye.
The controversy erupted on Monday morning when Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister and a member of Dr. Besigye’s defense team, was allegedly detained by immigration authorities and informed that she would be returned to Kenya. Her entry denial has sparked concerns over the rule of law, regional integration, and the independence of the legal profession.
In a statement, the Uganda Law Society Vice President Anthony Asiimwe described the incident as “a crushing blow” to the East African Community’s vision of free movement and cross-border legal practice.
According to the ULS, Karua had travelled to Uganda as part of a delegation from the East Africa Law Society to attend the bail proceedings of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is facing charges of misprision of treason. The Society noted that Karua holds a valid Special Practicing Certificate issued by Uganda’s Law Council, authorizing her to participate in the defense of both Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale.
While stopping short of directly condemning government authorities, the society said the matter raises fundamental questions about the free movement of professionals within the East African Community and pledged to engage relevant authorities before issuing further comment.
“The Uganda Law Society stands in solidarity with all advocates who encounter obstacles in the lawful discharge of their professional responsibilities,” said Asiimwe.
However, lawyers representing Dr. Besigye adopted a far more confrontational tone, accusing authorities of deliberately targeting the defense team through what they described as an unlawful detention and threatened deportation.
In an urgent statement, the defense lawyers alleged that Karua was being held incommunicado, denied access to her legal team, family members, and diplomatic representatives. They characterized the move as an attack on the administration of justice and an attempt to weaken the legal representation of opposition figures facing politically sensitive charges.
The defense team further linked the incident to a series of recent public statements by Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, arguing that Karua’s treatment was part of a broader campaign aimed at intimidating lawyers and government critics.
“The purpose is unmistakable,” the lawyers said. “This action is designed to strip the defense team of Dr. Besigye of one of its leaders and intimidate every advocate who would stand for the accused.”
They argued that the detention and threatened deportation violate Uganda’s Constitution, the East African Community Treaty, and international legal obligations governing the treatment of foreign nationals and legal practitioners.
The lawyers demanded Karua’s immediate release, access to legal counsel and family, and a halt to any deportation proceedings pending a lawful review of the decision.
The incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of Uganda’s commitment to regional integration and judicial independence, particularly as high-profile political cases involving Dr. Besigye, Erias Lukwago, and other opposition figures continue to attract attention across East Africa.
As pressure mounts from legal bodies in Uganda and Kenya, Karua’s fate could become a significant test of both East African Community cooperation and the protection of lawyers engaged in politically sensitive litigation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
