Martha Karua Blocked From Entering Uganda, Ordered Back To Kenya At Entebbe Airport

In a move that has sparked fresh regional tensions, Martha Karua, Senior Counsel and leader of the People’s Liberation Party (PLP), was denied entry into Uganda upon her arrival at Entebbe International Airport on Monday morning, June 22.

The Ugandan Law Society (ULS) confirmed the incident, revealing that immigration officials intercepted the veteran Kenyan politician and lawyer, ordering her to return to Kenya immediately without providing any explanation for the entry ban.

A Mission to Defend Uganda’s Opposition

Karua, traveling alongside Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Charles Kanjama, SC, had flown to Kampala to bolster the defense team of prominent Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and city lawyer Erias Lukwago.

While Karua was turned away at the border, Kanjama was reportedly permitted entry.

“Dr. Kizza Besigye’s and Obeid Lutale’s lead counsel, Hon. Martha Karua, SC, denied entry at Entebbe International Airport. She has been ordered to return without being given a reason,” the ULS statement read.

The High-Stakes Legal Battle in Kampala

The deportation comes amidst an aggressive crackdown on political dissent by President Yoweri Museveni’s administration.

1. Dr. Kizza Besigye

Besigye has been held at the Luzira Maximum Security Prison since November 2024. His detention followed a highly controversial abduction in Nairobi, Kenya, after which he was forcefully smuggled across the border to face charges of treason, treachery, and illegal possession of firearms in a military tribunal. Rights groups and his family have raised alarms over his deteriorating health due to near-total isolation, especially as Ugandan courts continue to deny his bail applications despite rulings that civilians should not be tried in military courts.

2. Erias Lukwago

Lukwago, a high-profile attorney, was remanded to Luzira Prison just last week. He was violently arrested at his home on June 15 by armed men in military uniform while attempting to serve court papers to the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba. After being held incommunicado in a secret military facility—where Gen. Muhoozi publicly posted photos of him blindfolded—Lukwago was charged with misprision of treason for allegedly concealing knowledge of a plot linked to Besigye between 2021 and 2024.

A Pattern of Bureaucratic Roadblocks

This is not the first time the Museveni regime has blocked Karua from representing Besigye.

• December 2024: The Uganda Law Council (ULC) repeatedly blocked Karua from getting a temporary practicing certificate, lock-outing her from the military court under the guise of “missing notarized documents” and labeling her involvement “politically motivated.”

• Early 2025: Karua successfully appealed the decision and was granted temporary clearance, making Monday’s airport block a sharp escalation by immigration authorities.

Growing International Condemnation

The incident has amplified international and regional criticism of Uganda’s human rights record. The Museveni regime has faced immense blowback for its ruthless handling of political opponents—most notably popstar-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who endured severe state persecution during the January election. That election saw Museveni claim a controversial seventh term in office with over 70% of the vote, a result heavily disputed by opposition factions.