Senior Counsel and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has reportedly been denied entry into Uganda upon her arrival at Entebbe International Airport on Monday.
Karua had travelled aboard a Kenya Airways flight alongside Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama to attend a court session related to a bail application ruling involving Ugandan lawyer and politician Elias Lukwago.
A statement issued by her office at 1:00 p.m. EAT said Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama was allowed entry into Uganda while she was allegedly detained at Entebbe International Airport on Monday morning.
According to teams on the ground, Karua, who is lead counsel in the treason case facing Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale, remained held at the airport.
The statement added that Karua was expected to return to Nairobi the same day. Her team reports that she is unreachable,
“Karua was scheduled to return to Nairobi today but remains incommunicado. Her senior team reports that she is unreachable, with her mobile phones switched off, and they continue to await direct communication regarding her status and expected return.”
Karua is a member of both the Law Society of Kenya and the East Africa Law Society. She previously served as a cabinet minister in the Kenyan government, holding several portfolios, including Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
She has been actively involved in Kizza Besigye’s case since his abduction in Nairobi on November 16, 2024, during her book launch, has continued to lead his defense under a valid legal practicing certificate issued in Uganda. Her certification is registered through the law firm of Erias Lukwago, the immediate former Lord Mayor of Kampala.
Lukwago, who serves as co-lead counsel alongside Ms. Karua in Besigye’s defense, was taken into custody on June 15.
Initial confirmation of Lukwago’s arrest and whereabouts was made public through a social media post by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on his official X account.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called on Ugandan authorities to explain the decision to deny her entry.
In a statement issued on Monday, LSK President Charles Kanjama said he was admitted into Uganda while Karua was turned away despite both lawyers travelling in the same professional capacity.
Kanjama said he was in Uganda as part of the defence team representing Lukwago, charged with a treason-related offence. He expressed concern over the treatment of Karua, who was also scheduled to participate in the matter.
“Of particular concern is the decision by Ugandan authorities to deny entry to Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was travelling to Uganda for the same matter and in the same professional capacity,” Kanjama said.
He argued that the right to legal representation and the independence of counsel are fundamental principles of the administration of justice.
“The right to legal representation and the independence of counsel are fundamental to the administration of justice. It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away. We call upon the Ugandan authorities to provide an explanation for this action and to uphold the rule of law and regional cooperation that underpin the East African Law Society”, he said.
