In brief
Martha Karua, the ex‑Kenyan justice minister, was denied entry to Uganda at Entebbe airport when arriving to support her Ugandan colleague and the defence of opposition leader Kizza Besigye. While the Uganda Law Society formally blocked her, her Kenyan law‑society colleague Charles Kanjama was allowed in, raising questions about selective enforcement. Ugandan authorities gave no reason for the action, prompting urgent calls from both local and Kenyan law societies for an explanation. Karua’s detention follows a pattern of cross‑border legal disputes that have drawn international scrutiny.
Former justice minister of Kenya, Martha Karua, was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe airport and ordered to return to Nairobi, according to the Uganda Law Society.
Karua was arriving to support her Ugandan colleague, Erias Lukwago, who and they were on a defence team for detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, himself charged with treason.
While she was detained, her Kenyan law society colleague Charles Kanjama – who travelled with her – was allowed in, sparking questions about selective enforcement.
The Uganda Law Society has called for clarification, and the Kenyan Law Society has urged the officials to explain why Karua was blocked in a manner that undermines rule of law across East Africa.
Karua’s detention comes amid a series of cross‑border legal disputes, including her prior deportation from Tanzania to attend a case involving another opposition figure, Tundu Lissu.
