Kenyan senior lawyer Martha Karua, who is leading the legal defence team for detained opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale, was on Monday, June 22, 2026, denied entry into Uganda after arriving at Entebbe International Airport. She was reportedly ordered by immigration authorities to immediately return to Kenya, a decision that has since attracted widespread attention.
Karua had travelled to Uganda with the intention of taking part in legal work related to the ongoing case involving Besigye and Lutale. She is part of the defence team expected to provide legal representation and prepare for proceedings in what has become one of the country’s most closely followed political cases.
However, upon arrival at Entebbe Airport, immigration officials reportedly stopped her and informed her that she could not be allowed into the country. She was instructed to return on the same journey back to Nairobi. Reports indicate that no detailed public explanation was provided at the time of the decision, leaving many questions unanswered.
The incident has raised concern among legal and political observers, especially because Karua is a well-known regional lawyer and former Justice Minister of Kenya with a strong reputation in human rights and constitutional law. Her involvement in the Besigye case had already attracted attention due to its political sensitivity.
Interestingly, sources also suggest that while Karua was denied entry, another member of her legal team who travelled with her was allowed into the country. This contrast has further deepened public curiosity about the criteria used by immigration officials in making the decision.
The development comes at a time when the case involving Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale continues to draw both local and international scrutiny. Legal observers have raised concerns about access to legal representation and the broader implications for fair trial rights.
As of now, Ugandan authorities have not issued a detailed public statement explaining the reasons behind the decision to deny entry to Karua. The situation remains a developing story, with reactions expected from legal bodies, human rights organizations, and political actors in the region.
