Kampala, (UG):- The Uganda Law Council has issued a temporary practicing certificate to Kenyan Lawyer, Ms Martha Wangari Karua enabling her to represent veteran opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale in the trial scheduled at military court tomorrow.
During the special sitting on Monday, January 06, the Law Council rescinded its earlier decision to deny the former Kenyan Justice Minister the temporary permit citing that her application lacked proper documentation and was politically motivated.
The council chaired by Court of Appeal justice, Irene Mulyagonja had also earlier argued there was nothing new that Ms Karua, an opposition stalwart in Kenya, would add to Uganda’s four-time presidential contender’s legal team.
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However, following the intervention of both internal and external pressures including the Uganda Law Society President Mr Isaac Ssemakadde, the Law Council on Monday convened a special meeting and resolved to permit Karua the license to represent Dr Besigye and his co-accused.
“After global banging of the table, the government of Uganda has understood that these decisions have real livelihood consequences. The legal profession is not a Ugandan creation; it’s guided by international principles that must be followed,” Mr Ssemakadde said after the council’s meeting on Monday afternoon.
“Today’s decision means Uganda is free and safe for foreign professionals to come and practise law as guided by our local laws. We thank the law council for having a change of mind,” he added.
Dr Besigye and Hajj Lutale were arrested on November 16, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital where they had travelled to attend Ms Karua’s book launch before they were brought back into Uganda by road through the eastern border post and later arraigned in the military court.
They face charges related to security, and being in unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
With the certificate in hand, Ms Karua will now need to file it with the General Court Martial based in Makindye, Kampala to be able to lead Dr Besigye’s 40-man legal team tomorrow.
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