NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 22 – The People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua was on Monday denied entry into Uganda ahead of a highly anticipated bail ruling involving opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale, sparking condemnation from regional legal bodies and the defence team.
According to the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Karua was detained upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and ordered to return to Kenya without being given any official explanation.
Karua had travelled to Uganda to join the legal defence team led by Kampala Lord Mayor and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago in proceedings related to Besigye and Lutale at the Makindye Court.
In a strongly worded statement, the defence team described Karua’s detention as unlawful and accused Ugandan authorities of targeting lawyers involved in the opposition case.
“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the detention this day of Senior Counsel Martha Karua at Entebbe International Airport, where she is being held incommunicado — denied all contact with counsel, with the defence team, and with her own family — pending an unlawful deportation to the Republic of Kenya,” the statement read.
The defence noted that Karua had travelled to Uganda for the “lawful and entirely proper purpose” of attending court proceedings and supporting the defence of Besigye and Lutale.
“To detain an advocate at the airport, sever her from her family and colleagues, and expel her for the offence of doing her duty as a lawyer is an assault not on one person but on the administration of justice itself,” the statement added.
The legal team linked the incident to recent public remarks by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, citing several statements published on his verified X account, @mkainerugaba, which they argued amounted to threats against opposition lawyers and activists.
Among the statements referenced was a June 19 post in which Muhoozi allegedly described the arrest of Lukwago as “just the beginning of the Rectification Campaign,” warning that “many more traitors are going to be arrested too.”
The lawyers also cited previous remarks in which Muhoozi reportedly threatened to arrest individuals serving legal papers and dismissed the Uganda Law Society’s defence of the legal profession and rule of law.
“These are not idle words. They are a stated programme, now being executed at Entebbe International Airport,” the statement said.
The defence team argued that the move was intended to weaken Besigye’s legal representation and intimidate advocates involved in politically sensitive cases.
“The purpose is unmistakable. This action is designed to strip the defence of Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Besigye of one of its leaders, to deprive the Hon. Erias Lukwago of essential solidarity and support at the moment of his bail ruling, and to intimidate every advocate who would stand for the accused,” the lawyers stated.
The statement further alleged that Karua’s detention violated several provisions of Ugandan law, the East African Community Treaty, and international legal conventions, including protections guaranteeing liberty, fair hearing, legal representation, and consular access.
The defence team demanded Karua’s immediate release, access to legal counsel and family, and a halt to any deportation proceedings pending lawful review.
The Uganda Law Society confirmed the incident through Vice President Asiimwe Anthony, who said Karua was denied entry without explanation while other lawyers travelling with her, including Kenyan advocate Charles Kanjama, were allowed into the country.
