By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Uganda, June 22, 2026 - Veteran Kenyan politician Martha Karua was on Monday denied entry to Uganda ahead of a court session for Uganda's opposition leader Kizza Besigye, escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries and drawing sharp criticism from legal and human rights circles.
Karua, who was accompanied by Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama, was ordered to return at Entebbe International Airport. The Uganda Law Society confirmed the incident but said the authorities did not provide any reasons for the denial.
The officials said Karua, who was in the country to join Besigye's defence team, was turned back after she had already been cleared by immigration. The legal team is defending the opposition leader and his advocate, Obeid Lutale, against charges brought by the Ugandan government.
The barring of Karua comes amid a widening crackdown on lawyers representing Besigye, who has become a symbol of resistance to President Yoweri Museveni's long-running rule. One of Besigye's lead lawyers, Erias Lukwago, was arrested by security forces on June 15 and later charged with "treason" for allegedly failing to report treason-related information. He has denied the charge, and his arrest has drawn widespread criticism from opposition groups and legal organisations across East Africa.
Uganda's opposition leader was arrested in Kenya in November 2024 and transported to Uganda, where he has remained in custody ever since. He is facing charges that were initially brought before a military court and later transferred to a civilian court, a move that legal experts say raises serious questions about due process and the independence of the judiciary.
Senior counsel Martha Karua was among a team of senior Ugandan and Kenyan advocates defending Besigye against the Museveni government. Her involvement had been seen as a significant boost to the defence, given her stature as a former Kenyan cabinet minister and her long record of advocating for constitutional reform and the rule of law across the region.
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The incident at Entebbe has sparked outrage among legal professionals in both countries. The Law Society of Kenya condemned the denial as a violation of professional privileges and an affront to cross-border legal cooperation. Rights groups have warned that targeting lawyers representing political opponents undermines the fundamental right to a fair trial and could set a dangerous precedent for the region.
Analysts say the move reflects growing nervousness within the Ugandan government as Besigye's case attracts increasing international attention. With Uganda preparing for elections in 2026, the authorities appear determined to silence dissent and restrict access to legal representation for high-profile opposition figures.
Karua has not yet issued a formal statement on the incident, but sources close to her say she is consulting with regional legal bodies and may challenge the decision through diplomatic channels.