The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has issued a strongly worded statement condemning recent developments involving the legal team of opposition figures Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, following the reported denial of entry of Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua into Uganda.
In its statement, the party accused what it termed “the regime” of escalating attacks on the rule of law, claiming the ongoing legal proceedings against the opposition leaders have been politically driven and aimed at weakening their defence.
According to the PFF, the situation represents a deliberate attempt to dismantle the legal representation of the two accused.
The group argued that the developments point to “a complete breakdown of fair trial guarantees,” though these claims have not been independently verified.
The party further alleged that Kampala Lord Mayor’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, one of the lead counsel in the case, was “abducted by state operatives” and later faced what it described as “fabricated and politically motivated treason-related charges.”
In the same statement, the PFF said Senior Counsel Martha Karua was denied entry at Entebbe International Airport, describing the move as part of a broader effort to block international legal representation.
Karua, a prominent Kenyan lawyer and politician, has been part of Besigye’s defence team in past legal engagements.
The party claimed that restricting her entry signals disregard for regional legal cooperation frameworks and international legal standards.
However, immigration authorities in Uganda had not publicly commented on the reported incident at the time of publication.
PFF warned that the developments risk undermining public confidence in the justice system and called for scrutiny of the handling of politically sensitive cases.
The party urged the Uganda Law Society, regional legal bodies, and the international community to intervene, stating that continued pressure on defence lawyers threatens the integrity of fair trial rights.
It maintained that any justice system that “targets legal counsel” risks losing credibility both domestically and internationally.