Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda upon her arrival at Entebbe airport, a move that has drawn scrutiny from legal organizations across the region. Karua, a prominent lawyer, was traveling to Uganda to join the defense team for Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition figure currently facing treason charges.
While Ugandan authorities have remained silent on the specific reasoning behind the decision, reports indicate that Karua was informed she is persona non grata. The situation is particularly notable given that the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Charles Kanjama, was permitted entry despite traveling for the same legal matter.
Besigye has been held in custody since late 2024 following his return to Uganda, a case that has sparked significant regional debate regarding legal jurisdiction.
Karua, who has previously faced obstacles in her efforts to practice law in Uganda and was deported from Tanzania last year under similar circumstances, maintains that the denial of entry is politically motivated.
The Law Society of Kenya has formally requested that Ugandan authorities provide clarity on the incident, while the Ugandan government has yet to issue a public response regarding the border enforcement action.
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