Lawyers representing opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye have demanded the immediate release of Kenyan senior lawyer and politician Martha Karua, who they claim is being held incommunicado at Entebbe International Airport and faces imminent deportation to Kenya.
In a statement issued on Monday, the defence team condemned Karua’s alleged detention as unlawful and politically motivated, saying she had been denied access to her lawyers, family members and diplomatic representatives.
Karua, a former Kenyan minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and a senior counsel of the Kenyan Bar, had travelled to Uganda to attend court proceedings involving former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and to support the defence of Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola.
The trio is jointly charged with treason over allegations that they organised meetings within and outside Uganda aimed at plotting to overthrow the government. The defence team described Karua’s detention as part of what it called a broader pattern of intimidation targeting lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases.
They linked the development to a series of social media posts attributed to the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, which they said signalled an escalating crackdown on individuals he has repeatedly referred to as “traitors.”
According to the lawyers, posts allegedly made on June 15 and June 19 warned of impending arrests targeting unnamed individuals, rejected criticism of the security establishment and referred to what Muhoozi described as a “Rectification Campaign.”
The defence team argued that the statements had created a climate of fear that is now being translated into action against members of the legal profession.
They also referenced earlier posts in which the army chief allegedly threatened to arrest individuals linked to legal proceedings involving Besigye and Lukwago, including lawyers handling court filings and those offering legal representation.
The lawyers further alleged that Karua’s detention and intended deportation violate constitutional guarantees on personal liberty, the right to a fair hearing and access to legal counsel, as well as protections under the East African Community Treaty and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
They demanded Karua’s immediate release, unimpeded access to her legal representatives and family, and the suspension of any deportation proceedings until lawful procedures are followed and written reasons are provided.
The defence team also called upon the Uganda Law Society, the Law Society of Kenya, the East Africa Law Society, diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to urgently intervene.
Karua’s reported detention comes amid uncertainty surrounding the pending treason trial of Dr Besigye, Lutale and Capt Oola, who are accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
Also pending is a misprision of treason case against Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, a member of Besigye’s legal defence team.
In my view, the current situation is entirely predictable. This is how militant regimes operate. Since 1986, when Museveni seized power through violence, Uganda has transitioned from the frying pan into the fire, shifting from anarchy to direct militant rule where the rule of law does not exist. Museveni has never hidden his intent to treat Uganda as family property. In 1980, while serving on the Military Commission organizing the elections, he openly threatened to take up arms if the results did not favor him—knowing well the system’s flaws. He is defined by violence and routinely brags about his wars, believing every political issue must be resolved with a gun. Sadly, our collective compliance has allowed this destruction. Museveni is on record stating he will never hand over power, famously declaring that “mere paper” cannot dislodge him, that he is “no one’s employee,” and comparing his rule to a cotter pin that requires a hammer to remove. Why do we expect democracy from a leader who explicitly rejects it? The ongoing abductions, torture, and election violence are not anomalies—they are the system working as intended. The recent detention and deportation of Kizza Besigye’s leading counsel (Karuwa) is simply a symptom of this deep-rooted autocracy. Things will only worsen unless we draw a line. The Uganda Law Society (ULS) must lay down their tools immediately and demand the release of all political prisoners. This must be the starting point for demanding full accountability for every missing and murdered Ugandan. No stone must be left unturned.
Blood is thicker than water!
Who in his/her right state of mind will deny that: at this rate of lawlessness and sooner than later, there will be a tit for tat response from Kenya.
E.g., and especially after he blatantly told off Kenyans that he will command the UPDF to overrun Kenya in less than two week; even if he became president what will stop Kenyans from denying Gen MK entry and/or deportation?
In other words, he might have referred to Hon Lukwago as a fool, but Gen MK’s foolishness is at idiotic proportion. And from now on; whoever associates with MK may have to think twice before s/he travels to Kenya, or risk deportation.
It is also a reminder: in early October 2024, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba issued a public ultimatum to former US Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp to personally apologize to President Yoweri Museveni by 9:00 AM on Monday, or face being expelled from the country.
Who in his/her right state of mind would think the Americans will ever forget such a shabby public treatment of their Ambassador, by a 3rd World country idiot and his handlers.
In other words, even if he by hook or crook became the president of Uganda, already we have a bad one with Rwanda and an ambivalent one with Tanzania; what Regional or international relations will Uganda have with Kenya and the US e.g.?
If e.g., the US can deny Entry Visa to an innocent internationally recognized Somali FIFA Referee, what will stop the US from denying Entry/Visa to MK and all his sycophants and blind supporters?
Otherwise, only fools/total idiots will continue to associate or closely identify with Gen MK and his PLU (Ideology) and SFC (Armed Wing) Terror Organizations.