Former Kenyan justice minister blocked from entering Uganda, lawyers' body says

By: Saha

ENTEBBE, UGANDA – Prominent Kenyan lawyer and former Justice Minister Martha Karua was on Monday denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, according to statements from legal bodies in both Uganda and Kenya.

Martha Karua Denied Entry Into Uganda Over Lukwago Court Case

Karua had travelled to Uganda to join a legal team representing Kampala Lord Mayor and lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is facing charges related to an ongoing treason case involving opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye.

According to the Uganda Law Society, Karua was stopped by immigration officials and instructed to return to Kenya. No official reason was immediately provided by Ugandan authorities for the decision.

Speaking after returning to Nairobi, Karua described the move as unlawful and politically motivated. She argued that as a citizen of the East African Community (EAC), she should be allowed to enter any member state under regional integration agreements.

Karua further claimed that officials informed her she had been declared persona non grata in Uganda.

The incident has sparked concern among legal professionals across East Africa. Charles Kanjama, President of the Law Society of Kenya, who travelled with Karua for the same legal assignment, was allowed entry into Uganda.

In a statement, Kanjama questioned why one member of a defence team was admitted while another was turned away despite travelling in the same professional capacity.

The Uganda Law Society and the Law Society of Kenya have called on Ugandan authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding Karua’s denial of entry.

The development comes days after Erias Lukwago was charged with allegedly failing to report treason-related activities linked to Dr. Besigye’s case. Lukwago denied the charges and was remanded to prison pending further court proceedings.

Dr. Besigye has remained in detention since his controversial arrest and return to Uganda from Kenya in late 2024, a move that attracted criticism from human rights activists and legal experts across the region.

By publication time, Uganda’s immigration authorities had not issued an official statement regarding Karua’s deportation.