Uganda Bars Kenyan Lawyer Martha Karua from Entering While Allowing Her Colleague to Join Defense Team

Martha Karua was blocked from entering Uganda at Entebbe airport and ordered to return home, The Bbc reported. She had arrived to join a defense team for Erias Lukwago, with whom she has been representing detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye on trial for treason. Kenya's Law Society President Charles Kanjama traveled with Karua and was allowed to enter.

Ugandan authorities gave no reason for the decision. Kanjama said it was "of particular concern" that Karua was blocked despite traveling "for the same matter and in the same professional capacity" as himself. "It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away," Kanjama stated in a post on X.

Uganda's immigration authorities have not responded to the BBC's request for comment. Lukwago appeared in court last Wednesday looking weak. He had been arrested at his home days earlier, denied charges of failing to report treason relating to Besigye's case, and was remanded in prison.

Besigye has been jailed on treason charges since being abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda in late 2024. Karua's initial application to practise as a lawyer in Uganda was rejected. She was deported from Tanzania last year to prevent her from attending the court case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who faces treason charges.