NAIROBI, Kenya – Uganda’s military chief, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has claimed responsibility for the deportation of Kenyan politician and lawyer Martha Karua, saying the decision was his and not that of his father, President Yoweri Museveni.
In a post on X, Muhoozi stated: “Do not blame my great father for this decision. I deported her myself. She’s no longer allowed in our country.”
The remarks came a day after Karua was denied entry into Uganda and declared persona non grata upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport. She had travelled to Kampala as part of a legal team involved in matters relating to Ugandan opposition figures, including lawyer and politician Erias Lukwago.
Karua later told journalists in Nairobi that Ugandan authorities informed her she was not welcome in the country and subsequently placed her on a return flight to Kenya.
She said she received a formal communication declaring her persona non grata after landing at Entebbe.
The People’s Liberation Party leader had travelled to Uganda to support legal proceedings involving Lukwago, a prominent opposition figure and lawyer representing veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
The deportation has sparked criticism from sections of the legal fraternity and human rights groups across East Africa, with questions raised over the reasons behind the decision and its implications for regional cooperation and the rule of law.
The Uganda Law Society confirmed that Karua was denied entry despite initially being cleared by immigration officials.
Karua has previously represented opposition figures in the region and has been vocal on governance, democracy, and human rights issues in East Africa.
Muhoozi’s comments are the latest in a series of controversial public statements by the Ugandan military chief, who has frequently used social media to comment on political and diplomatic matters.
