Kenyan lawyer, Former Justice Minister Martha Karua denied entry into Uganda

Kenyan lawyer and former Justice Minister Martha Karua has been denied entry into Uganda after arriving at Entebbe airport to join a legal team in a high-profile treason-related case.

The Uganda Law Society said Karua was stopped at the airport and ordered to return to Kenya.

She had travelled to Uganda to assist in the defence of Kampala lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is facing a treason-related charge.

Lukwago has also been part of the legal team representing detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

Besigye is on trial for treason after he was reportedly abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda in late 2024.

Karua later returned to Nairobi, where she described the decision to block her entry as unlawful and politically motivated.

She argued that as a citizen of the East African Community, she should be able to enter another member state, including Uganda.

She is also reported to have said she was informed that she was persona non grata in Uganda.

Ugandan authorities have not publicly given reasons for denying her entry.

Kenya Law Society President Charles Kanjama, who travelled with Karua, was allowed into Uganda.

He questioned why one member of the same defence team was admitted while another was turned away.

According to him, both lawyers had travelled for the same matter and in the same professional capacity.

He called on Ugandan authorities to explain the decision.

Lukwago appeared in court last Wednesday after his arrest at his home.

He denied a charge relating to failure to report treason in connection with Besigye’s case and was remanded in prison.

His bail hearing had been expected on Monday.

The Law Society of Kenya has expressed support for lawyers across East Africa who continue to work under difficult conditions in the pursuit of justice.

It also called for clarity on why Karua was blocked from entering Uganda.

Karua has faced previous obstacles while seeking to participate in politically sensitive cases in the region.

Her initial application to practise in Uganda was rejected before she was later cleared to represent Besigye.

She was also deported from Tanzania last year after attempting to attend the court proceedings of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is also facing treason charges.

The latest incident is expected to renew debate over regional free movement, the rights of lawyers to represent clients across borders and the treatment of opposition-linked cases in East Africa.