The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has said Kenyan senior lawyer Martha Karua, who is part of the defence team in high-profile political cases involving Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale, was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe International Airport and ordered to return to Nairobi.
According to ULS, Karua had travelled to Uganda ahead of the bail ruling for Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, scheduled for Monday, where she was expected to join the defence team handling the ongoing legal proceedings.
The Law Society said Karua was accompanied by the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Charles Kanjama, who was allowed entry into the country, while Karua was stopped at the airport.
“Dr Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale’s lead counsel, Hon. Martha Karua, SC, was denied entry at Entebbe International Airport and ordered to return without being given any reason. Hon. Karua was accompanied by Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama, SC, who was allowed entry,” ULS said in a statement shared on X.
ULS said Karua was not provided with reasons for the decision, adding that she had travelled to Uganda to support the defence team involved in the ongoing proceedings.
“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 statement added.
Lukwago is appearing before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court for the ruling on his bail application after he was remanded to Luzira Prison on Friday over charges of misprision of treason, which he denies.
The Kampala Lord Mayor was arrested from his home in Wakaliga on June 15 by security personnel and taken to an undisclosed location before being presented in court.
The Chief of Defence Forces later stated on social media that Lukwago was being held in a basement and shared a photograph showing him blindfolded, sparking public concern and calls for clarification.
Lukwago was later handed over to police and briefly held at Kira Division Police Station before being produced before Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he was formally charged and remanded to Luzira Prison.
The Uganda Law Society has not indicated whether it will seek clarification from authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding Karua’s denied entry.
