Kenyan Senior Counsel and People’s Liberation Party (PLP) presidential aspirant Martha Karua was on Monday detained at Entebbe International Airport after Ugandan authorities denied her entry into the country, triggering concern among legal and political circles in the region.
According to an official statement released from her office in Nairobi, Karua arrived in Uganda aboard a Kenya Airways flight in the morning, accompanied by Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama.
He noted that Karua had travelled to Uganda to observe court proceedings involving Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is currently facing a bail ruling.
Abubakar stated that Karua is part of the legal team representing opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and was acting in her professional capacity at the time of travel.
He described the reported actions by Ugandan authorities as a matter of serious concern to the regional legal community.
“As the East Africa Law Society, we are deeply concerned with this development and shall be issuing a full statement shortly protesting this action,” Abubakar said.
He further argued that denying an advocate entry into a partner state while carrying out professional duties undermines provisions of the East African Community (EAC) Treaty, which guarantees freedom of movement among member states.
According to Abubakar, the action also contradicts legal precedent set by the East African Court of Justice in the case of Samuel Mukira Mohochi v Attorney General of Uganda, which affirmed the rights of EAC citizens to enter partner states.
The incident adds to growing scrutiny surrounding Uganda’s handling of politically sensitive legal matters, particularly those involving opposition figures and their legal representatives.
Karua’s reported denial of entry follows earlier concerns raised by the Uganda Law Society, which also questioned the circumstances under which she was blocked while another member of her delegation was allowed into the country.
Ugandan authorities had not publicly responded to the latest claims by the time of publication. The East Africa Law Society indicated that it would pursue the matter further through formal regional legal and diplomatic channels.