Besigye and Lutale File Court Application Over Lawyer's Deportation

Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale filed an application with the High Court Criminal Division on July 1, 2026, seeking a declaration that their constitutional rights were violated by the deportation of their lead lawyer, Martha Karua. The application, filed under the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act and various provisions of the Constitution, names the Chief of Defence Forces as the first respondent and the Attorney General as the second respondent.

The applicants argue that Karua's deportation is part of an ongoing effort to undermine their legal defense in the treason case in which they are jointly charged with Captain Denis Oola.

Background to the Filing According to the application, Karua arrived at Entebbe International Airport on June 22, 2026, to represent Besigye and Lutale but was blocked from entering Uganda, detained, had her mobile phones confiscated, and was later deported to Nairobi after being classified as a prohibited immigrant.

The applicants contend that the immigration decision was unlawful because "persona non grata" is not among the grounds for classifying a person as a prohibited immigrant under Uganda's Citizenship and Immigration Control Act. They further argue that the decision was made without allowing Karua to be heard and was therefore contrary to constitutional guarantees of fair hearing and due process.

The application also cites the confiscation of Karua's mobile phones, which the applicants say compromised confidential advocate-client communications and violated their constitutional rights to privacy and a fair hearing.

The applicants further allege that Karua's deportation was part of a campaign to obstruct their defence by intimidating members of their legal team. The application cites the alleged arrest, military detention and prosecution of former Kampala Lord Mayor and lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is part of their defence team.