Martha Karua at the airport

Former justice minister of Kenya, Martha Karua, was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe airport and ordered to return to Nairobi, according to the Uganda Law Society.

Karua was arriving to support her Ugandan colleague, Erias Lukwago, who and they were on a defence team for detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, himself charged with treason.

While she was detained, her Kenyan law society colleague Charles Kanjama – who travelled with her – was allowed in, sparking questions about selective enforcement.

The Uganda Law Society has called for clarification, and the Kenyan Law Society has urged the officials to explain why Karua was blocked in a manner that undermines rule of law across East Africa.

Karua’s detention comes amid a series of cross‑border legal disputes, including her prior deportation from Tanzania to attend a case involving another opposition figure, Tundu Lissu.