Martha Karua, Kenya’s former justice minister and prominent lawyer, was denied entry into Uganda upon her arrival at Entebbe airport, according to the Uganda Law Society. The move left her stranded and forced her to return to Nairobi the following day.
Karua had flown into Uganda to join a team defending Erias Lukwago, a Ugandan lawyer charged with a treason‑related offence and who is representing opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Besigye, a former Kenyan resident abducted in 2024, is currently under trial in Uganda on treason charges.
Karua’s office confirmed that she was detained at the airport and was expected to return to Nairobi, though she remains incommunicado. Her senior team reports that she is unreachable, with her mobile phones switched off, and they are awaiting clarification on her status and expected return.
While Karua was denied entry, her colleague, Charles Kanjama—Kenya’s law society president—was allowed in, raising questions about selective treatment and the motives behind the blockade. Kanjama criticised the decision on social media, calling the lack of explanation “particularly concerning” and urging Ugandan authorities to explain why one defence team member was admitted while another was turned away.
Ugandan immigration authorities have so far refused to explain their actions. The Kenyan law society has expressed support for legal professionals facing similar hardships and has called on relevant authorities to clarify the circumstances of Karua’s denial.
The incident adds to a recent pattern of restrictions on legal practitioners. Karua had previously faced hurdles to practice in Uganda, and she was deported from Tanzania to block her participation in cases involving opposition figures such as Tundu Lissu.
The broader context involves regional debates over judicial independence, political opposition, and the treatment of dissent. Kanja’s reaction highlights the growing distrust in how East African governments handle lawyers who represent political dissidents.
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