Former Kenyan minister and senior advocate Martha Karua will likely represent Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale in the General Court Martial today after the Uganda Law Council finally granted her a practising licence.
The council had previously denied Karua’s application last month, citing incomplete documentation and political concerns. However, Karua, with the support of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) led by Isaac Ssemakadde, appealed the decision. This led to the council, chaired by Court of Appeal Justice Irene Mulyagonja, voting to issue the certificate.
Speaking after a two-hour closed-door meeting, ULS president Ssemakadde confirmed that the remaining steps are just ‘paperwork’ and involve obtaining the certificate and filing it with the General Court Martial. He commended the council’s decision as a testament to institutional progress but warned against future bureaucratic delays.
Ssemakadde highlighted the urgency of leveraging e-government laws to ensure prompt communication of the decision. The council’s earlier decision, made on December 6, 2024, declined Karua’s application, citing her alleged non-compliance with the amended Advocates Act, Chapter 295, and questioning her motives as politically driven. Karua sought the license to represent Besigye and Lutale, arrested in Kenya on November 16, 2024, and brought to Uganda for trial over treason charges.
The rejection drew criticism from the Law Society of Kenya, which threatened reciprocal measures against Ugandan advocates. The Uganda Law Society supported Karua, emphasizing regional cooperation within the East African Community (EAC). Besigye and Lutale remain in detention at Luzira Prison. Their lawyers had previously stated they would not proceed with the trial in Karua’s absence unless instructed otherwise by their clients. Both have challenged their trial in the General Court Martial, questioning its jurisdiction over civilians.
The matter also ties to a pending Supreme court judgment on the legality of trying civilians in military courts. This follows a Constitutional court ruling that nullified such trials, which the Attorney General has appealed. The case, involving former MP Michael Kabaziguruka’s petition, awaits a decision from a seven-judge Supreme court panel.
Separately, Besigye and three other human rights defenders have challenged their arrest and trial at the East African Court of Justice, seeking $100,000 in compensation for what they term an illegal cross-border arrest and detention. Besigye is no stranger to the General Court Martial. In 2006, he faced treason, rape, and concealment of treason charges, all of which were dismissed.
Since declaring his presidential ambitions, he has faced numerous charges across the country but has yet to be convicted. Besigye has consistently accused the government of politically motivated persecution. His next court appearance is scheduled for today, January 7, 2025, before the General Court Martial.
In other words, it is a SHAME on the Hon Justice Irene Mulyagonja, the entire members/composition and the institution of the Uganda Law Council, before the whole wide world!
That is because, Judges like Justice Mulyagonja, are supposed to always be sober and fair, and therefore to make the right decisions and/or ruling on matters that affect; not only to protect the the Judicial image of the country, but the rights of Ugandans who depend on their rationale.
Kenya Lawyer Karua, or any other, cannot help Dr Kizza Besigye…, unless Ugandans take back their land from Rwandese Museveni, then ensure good governance, thus real JUSTICE!
Dr Besigye or any other opposer to Rwandese Museveni will never get help from any one, unless Ugandans say NO to the tribalistic system that is Museveni’s strong footstand & UNITE to stop him!
Until that UNITY, not even Kenya lawyers will have the LEGAL POWER to help opposers to Museveni who owns Uganda, controls every institution, including justice!
Rwandese Museveni is assured of ownership of Uganda by all means & protected by powerless tribally divided ruled Ugandans with fake presidential election every 5 years!
Does Museveni even remember Dr Besigye took good care of his health, before waking up to understande he colonised Uganda & must be stopped?
Ugandans, please, NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY, NOW, if you want help from Kenyan lawyer Karua or any other!
Ugandans MUST stop Museveni in UNITY, if they want help from even Kenya!
Lakwena, I wish you a better 2025!
It’s a pitty Ugandans are still POWERLESS tribally divided ruled, without a National Leader to sing them to UNITY, the only power needed to block & stop Rwandese Museveni, without war with guns!
Why do Ugandans prefer Museveni to being FREE to form the kind of governance they want?