Kampala, (UG):- Kenya’s Senior Associate and ex-Justice Minister, Ms Martha Karua is today (Tuesday) expected at the General Court Martial in Makindye after the Uganda Law Council finally issued her a temporary practising certificate to represent Uganda’s veteran opposition leader, Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale in the trial at the military court.
The duo, arrested from Nairobi, Kenya’s capital in November, are facing charges related to security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition
During the special sitting on Monday, January 06, the Law Council rescinded its earlier decision to deny the former Kenyan Justice Minister the temporary permit citing that her application lacked proper documentation and was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.
This followed the intervention of both internal and external pressures including the Uganda Law Society President Mr Isaac Ssemakadde, Human Rights lawyers and activists.
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Ssemakadde, who is also a member of the Uganda Law Council yesterday told journalists that the council was under global pressure and had no option but to grant Ms Karua a special practising certificate.
“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,” He said after the council’s crisis meeting on Monday.
“Today[Monday]’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.
Ms Karua, who looked jolly, last evening said she had travelled from Kenya to receive her temporary practising certificate from the law council, which allows advocates to access courts and represent clients in Uganda.
With the certificate in hand, Karua is fully charged to lead Dr Besigye’s Defence team at the Court Martial in Makindye as the high-profile case unfolds.
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