Renowned Kenyan lawyer, Senior Counsel Martha Karua, was on Monday denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and ordered to return to Kenya, according to the Uganda Law Society (ULS).
Karua, who serves as the lead counsel for veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale in an ongoing treason case, had traveled to Kampala to support the defense team of her colleague, Erias Lukwago.
According to a statement released by the ULS on X (formerly Twitter), Karua was accompanied by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Charles Kanjama. While Kanjama and other colleagues in their delegation were cleared by immigration officials, Karua was singled out, blocked, and instructed to return to her home country without any reason provided.
“Hon. Martha Karua was accompanied by Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama, who was only allowed… While the colleagues she travelled with were allowed entry into the country, Hon. Karua was denied entry and instructed to return to her home country,” the ULS statement read in part.
The incident unfolded just minutes before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Makindye convened to deliver a ruling on the bail application of Mr Lukwago, who is facing charges of misprision of treason. Lukwago, a prominent lawyer, was remanded to Luzira Prison last week, with the state alleging he failed to disclose information regarding an alleged treasonous plot involving Dr. Besigye.
