Written By | Peter Luzinda
Karua, one of East Africa's best-known constitutional lawyers and human rights advocates, was reportedly detained by immigration and security officials shortly after arriving in Kampala.
Search
KAMPALA
The legal team representing opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye has criticised Ugandan authorities over the detention and alleged threatened deportation of Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua, describing the incident as troubling for regional justice and democratic freedoms.
Karua, one of East Africa's best-known constitutional lawyers and human rights advocates, was reportedly detained by immigration and security officials shortly after arriving in Kampala. According to sources close to Besigye's defence team, she had travelled to Uganda to support legal and political engagements related to opposition cases.
In a statement released shortly after the incident, Besigye's lawyers said Karua's treatment reflected a growing pattern of intimidation targeting individuals associated with politically sensitive matters.
The lawyers argued that denying access to legal counsel or frustrating the work of regional advocates undermines the principles of a fair hearing and access to justice guaranteed under both Ugandan law and international legal frameworks.
They further warned that the incident could erode confidence in Uganda's commitment to democratic governance and respect for the rule of law within the East African region.
Karua, a former Kenyan Minister of Justice and a longtime opposition figure, has built a reputation for defending constitutional rights and speaking out against political repression across the continent.
The reports triggered concern among civil society organisations and opposition supporters, many of whom questioned why a senior legal practitioner from a fellow East African Community member state would face such treatment.
By press time, authorities had not issued a detailed explanation regarding the reasons for her detention or the reported threats of deportation.
The development comes at a time of heightened political tension in Uganda, where opposition groups continue to accuse security agencies of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on political freedoms ahead of the upcoming general elections.
