Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Uganda Blocks Prominent Kenyan Lawyer From Entering the Country
Martha Karua, a leading Kenyan lawyer and former Justice Minister, was blocked from entering Uganda upon landing at Entebbe International Airport on Monday, according to the Uganda Law Society. She was ordered to return to Nairobi in what she described as an “unlawful and politically motivated” decision.
Karua had traveled to Uganda to join the legal defense team of Erias Lukwago, a prominent Ugandan lawyer and politician charged last week with a treason-related offense. Both Karua and Lukwago have been representing detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, currently on trial for treason.
A Selective Ban Raises Serious Questions
Karua was not traveling alone. Charles Kanjama, President of the Law Society of Kenya, made the same trip for the same professional purpose — and was allowed in without issue. Ugandan authorities have offered no explanation for the discrepancy.
“It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away,” Kanjama wrote on X, calling on Ugandan officials to account for their actions. He described the situation as being “of particular concern.”
Karua, back in Nairobi, stated that as a citizen of the East African Community (EAC), she holds the right to enter any member state — including Uganda. She also revealed she had been declared persona non grata by Ugandan authorities.
Besigye Case at the Center of the Storm
The incident is the latest flashpoint in the high-profile case of Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s veteran opposition leader who has been jailed on treason charges since late 2024. Besigye was abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda, triggering a fierce regional debate over legal jurisdiction and human rights.
His lawyer, Lukwago, appeared in court last Wednesday looking visibly weakened after being arrested at his home. He denied charges of failing to report treason and was remanded in prison. His bail hearing had been scheduled for Monday.
Legal Bodies Demand Accountability
The Law Society of Kenya issued a statement Monday expressing solidarity with legal professionals across East Africa “who continue to uphold the cause of justice under often difficult circumstances.” It called on authorities to clarify the grounds on which Karua was denied entry.
This is not the first time Karua has been shut out of a courtroom beyond Kenya’s borders. She was deported from Tanzania last year to prevent her from attending the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who also faces treason charges. She had also initially been rejected when applying to practice law in Uganda before eventually being cleared to represent Besigye.
Uganda’s immigration authorities have not responded to requests for comment. The pattern, however, is drawing growing scrutiny from legal and civil society groups across the region.
