By Mumo Judah, June 22, 2026
Senior Counsel Martha Karua was on Monday morning, June 22, 2026, denied entry into Uganda after being intercepted at Entebbe International Airport in a dramatic incident that has drawn attention across East Africa’s legal and political circles.
According to a statement released by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Karua was stopped by immigration officials immediately after landing and ordered to return to Kenya without being given any official explanation for the decision. The unexpected denial has raised questions about entry procedures and the treatment of foreign legal representatives involved in politically sensitive cases.
Karua, a prominent Kenyan lawyer and seasoned constitutional advocate, had travelled to Kampala to join her co-counsel Erias Lukwago, the Kampala Lord Mayor, in preparation for a crucial court ruling in the ongoing treason case involving opposition figures Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale. The ruling was expected to address a key bail application that has been closely followed by human rights observers and political analysts across the region.
In its official communication, the Uganda Law Society confirmed the incident and highlighted what it described as selective treatment at the airport.
“Dr. @kizzabesigye1 and Obeid Lutale’s lead-counsel Hon. @MarthaKarua, SC, denied entry at Entebbe International Airport. She has been ordered to return and given no reason. Hon. Martha Karua was accompanied by @LawSocietyofKe President @ckanjama, SC, who was only allowed entry,” the statement read.
The organization further noted that while Karua was denied access, her accompanying delegation—including Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama—was permitted entry into Uganda, deepening questions about the basis of the immigration decision.
Karua was reportedly informed to immediately board a return flight to Nairobi, with no written justification provided at the point of denial. The development effectively disrupted her planned participation in the high-stakes legal proceedings, where she was expected to play a key role in the defense strategy.
Legal observers say the incident could have significant implications for the defense team’s coordination in the Besigye and Lutale case, which has already attracted regional scrutiny due to its political sensitivity and the involvement of senior opposition figures.
The case has previously seen controversy, including complaints by defense lawyers over restricted access to clients held at Luzira Prison. Earlier, the legal team protested limitations imposed by prison authorities, including restrictions on laptops and electronic devices needed to review prosecution audio-visual evidence, which they argued hampered fair preparation.
Karua’s denial of entry now adds another layer of tension to an already closely watched judicial process, with legal experts and rights groups expected to raise concerns over transparency, due process, and the independence of cross-border legal representation in politically charged cases.
As of Monday afternoon, neither Ugandan immigration authorities nor the Ministry of Internal Affairs had issued an official statement explaining the grounds for the decision, leaving the incident shrouded in uncertainty as regional legal bodies call for clarification.
