Ugandan authorities have blocked former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua from entering the country, forcing her to return to Nairobi. Karua, a high-profile attorney, arrived at Entebbe airport intending to represent Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition leader currently facing treason charges.
While Charles Kanjama, the president of the Law Society of Kenya, was permitted entry, Karua was denied, raising questions regarding the consistency of Ugandan immigration enforcement. The situation has drawn criticism from legal organizations, as Karua’s team reported she was unreachable following the incident.
This is not the first time Karua has faced resistance from regional authorities; she previously encountered significant hurdles in her attempts to practice law in Uganda and was deported from Tanzania last year while attempting to attend a separate treason trial.
The ongoing legal saga surrounding Besigye, who was returned to Uganda in 2024 following his apprehension in Kenya, continues to spark intense debate over regional legal jurisdiction and the enforcement of national security laws. Ugandan immigration officials have yet to provide a formal explanation for the denial of entry.
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