NAIROBI, Kenya – The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has raised concerns over the reported denial of entry into Uganda of Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was travelling to join a legal team representing Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago in ongoing treason proceedings.
In a statement on Monday, LSK President Charles Kanjama said he was already in Uganda as part of Lukwago’s defence team when Karua was turned away by Ugandan authorities.
Kanjama questioned the decision to allow some members of the defence team into the country while denying entry to another lawyer involved in the same case.
“I am in Uganda as part of the defence team representing Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago in the ongoing treason proceedings. Of particular concern is the decision by Ugandan authorities to deny entry to Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was travelling to Uganda for the same matter and in the same professional capacity,” he said.
The LSK President said the move raises serious questions about the right to legal representation and the independence of legal counsel.
“The right to legal representation and the independence of counsel are fundamental to the administration of justice. It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away,” Kanjama stated.
He called on Ugandan authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding Karua’s denial of entry and urged them to uphold principles of the rule of law and regional cooperation.
“We call upon the Ugandan authorities to provide an explanation for this action and to uphold the rule of law and regional cooperation that underpin the East African Law Society,” he added.
Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister and Senior Counsel, has in recent years been involved in several high-profile legal and human rights cases across East Africa. Her reported denial of entry comes amid growing scrutiny of legal proceedings involving opposition figures and their lawyers in Uganda.
The development follows recent concerns raised by regional and international human rights organisations over the treatment of lawyers representing opposition leaders and activists in Uganda.
