In brief
Martha Karua, Kenya’s prominent former Justice Minister, was denied entry to Uganda at Entebbe Airport, forcing her to return to Nairobi. She had flown to support her colleague, Ugandan lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is fighting a treason trial against opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Ugandan immigration offered no explanation, while Kenya’s Law Society criticized the move as unlawful and politically motivated. The incident underscores tensions surrounding East African judicial collaboration and the treatment of political dissent.
Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua was denied entry at Entebbe airport, forcing her to return to Nairobi. She had traveled to Uganda to join defense lawyer Erias Lukwago in the treason trial of opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
The Kenya Law Society’s president, Charles Kanjama, said it was “particularly concerning” that Karua was turned away while he was allowed entry, calling the decision “unlawful and politically motivated.”
Karua’s block occurs amid a broader struggle over legal jurisdiction, following her previous deportation from Tanzania when she sought to defend Tundu Lissu, another opposition figure charged with treason.
Uganda’s immigration authorities offered no explanation for denying her entry, leading to calls from Kenyan officials and the legal profession for greater transparency and protection of cross‑border justice cooperation within the East African Community.
The case highlights the tenuous nature of international legal collaboration in politically charged environments and raises questions about the rule of law in the region.
