KAMPALA, Uganda – The Ugandan Law Council has granted Martha Karua, a prominent Kenyan lawyer and politician, a temporary practice certificate, enabling her to represent detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
The decision, announced on Monday, comes after Karua reapplied through the Uganda Law Society (ULS), following an initial rejection.
“The Law Council has granted a temporary Practicing Certificate to Hon. Martha Karua, following her reapplication through the Uganda Law Society, as directed by our #RadicalNewBar President, Isaac Ssemakadde,” the ULS stated.
This development marks a reversal from just four weeks ago when Karua’s application was denied.
According to Karua, the rejection letter dated December 6, 2024, cited missing notarized copies of her practising certificate and a letter of good standing from the Law Society of Kenya.
Additionally, the council noted the absence of her nationality documents and academic qualifications, concerns also raised for her co-counsel, Erias Lukwago.
Karua is leading Besigye’s legal team in a high-profile case following his controversial abduction in Kenya and subsequent court-martial in Uganda, along with his associate Obeid Lutale.
The initial denial of Karua’s certificate sparked regional outrage, with legal professionals and organizations criticizing the Ugandan authorities.
Ramadhan Abubakar, the newly elected president of the East Africa Law Society, condemned the council’s earlier decision, describing it as a setback for regional integration and cross-border legal practice.
“This arbitrary decision undermines the spirit of regional integration as provided for under the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and erodes gains made towards actualizing cross-border legal practice in the East African region,” Abubakar said.
He emphasized that such moves cast doubt on the commitment of East African Community (EAC) member states to fully implement the Common Market Protocol, which ensures free movement within the region.
The decision, announced on Monday, comes after Karua reapplied through the Uganda Law Society (ULS), following an initial rejection.
“The Law Council has granted a temporary Practicing Certificate to Hon. Martha Karua, following her reapplication through the Uganda Law Society, as directed by our #RadicalNewBar President, Isaac Ssemakadde,” the ULS stated.
This development marks a reversal from just four weeks ago when Karua’s application was denied.
According to Karua, the rejection letter dated December 6, 2024, cited missing notarized copies of her practising certificate and a letter of good standing from the Law Society of Kenya.
Additionally, the council noted the absence of her nationality documents and academic qualifications, concerns also raised for her co-counsel, Erias Lukwago.
Karua is leading Besigye’s legal team in a high-profile case following his controversial abduction in Kenya and subsequent court-martial in Uganda, along with his associate Obeid Lutale.
The initial denial of Karua’s certificate sparked regional outrage, with legal professionals and organizations criticizing the Ugandan authorities.
Ramadhan Abubakar, the newly elected president of the East Africa Law Society, condemned the council’s earlier decision, describing it as a setback for regional integration and cross-border legal practice.
“This arbitrary decision undermines the spirit of regional integration as provided for under the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community and erodes gains made towards actualizing cross-border legal practice in the East African region,” Abubakar said.
He emphasized that such moves cast doubt on the commitment of East African Community (EAC) member states to fully implement the Common Market Protocol, which ensures free movement within the region.
