Kenyan Former Justice Minister Blocked From Entering Uganda, Lawyers’ Society Says
At Entebbe airport, on 22 June 2026, former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda while en route to assist Ugandan lawyer Erias Lukwago in the defense of detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye. The Uganda Law Society released a statement confirming that Karua was blocked and ordered to return to Nairobi, though no reason was provided for the decision.
Karua had arrived at the airport to join a team defending Besigye, who is currently on trial for treason in Uganda. Lukwago himself was recently charged with a treason‑related offence, and his bail hearing was scheduled for Monday. Karua’s detention at the airport was reported by her office, which said she was expected to leave Kenya on Monday but remains incommunicado.
The move has drawn criticism from the Kenyan Law Society. President Charles Kanjama, who accompanied Karua, was allowed entry while she was not. “It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away,” Kanjama posted on X, urging Ugandan authorities to explain the circumstances. Kanjama described the blocking as an “especially concerning” incident.
Ugandan immigration authorities have not responded to inquiries from the BBC. The incident underscores the complex dynamics of legal collaboration across East Africa, especially in politically charged cases such as Besigye’s. Besigye has been jailed on treason charges since a forced return to Uganda in 2024, and his case remains a focal point of regional debate over jurisdiction and human rights.
The Law Society of Kenya has called for a clear explanation of Karua’s treatment in Uganda and for backing of legal professionals involved in cross‑border defense teams. The incident raises issues about consistency, transparency, and the protection of legal practitioners operating outside their home jurisdictions.
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