Kampala, Uganda: Uganda’s immigration authorities have confirmed that Kenyan Senior Counsel and former Justice Minister Martha Karua was denied entry into the country on Monday and deported back to Nairobi after being classified as a “prohibited immigrant.”
According to an official notice issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control at Entebbe International Airport on Monday afternoon, Karua was barred from entering Uganda under provisions of the country’s immigration laws and was instructed to return to Kenya on the same day aboard the airline that transported her.
The immigration notice indicated that the reason for denying Karua entry was that she had been declared persona non grata.
Karua had travelled to Uganda to attend court proceedings involving former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and to support the legal team representing opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale.
Her deportation came hours after the Uganda Law Society (ULS) announced that she had been denied entry upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, triggering reactions from legal bodies in both Uganda and Kenya.
In a statement, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) said it had received reports that Karua was travelling to Uganda to observe court proceedings involving Lukwago and support efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights of legal practitioners.
“The reported decision to deny her entry therefore, raises concerns that extend beyond the circumstances of a single individual,” Charles Kanjama, the LSK President, said in the statement.
The LSK further called upon the relevant authorities to provide clarity regarding the circumstances that informed the decision.
Karua’s deportation occurred amid heightened public interest in the prosecution of Lukwago, who is facing treason-related charges linked to proceedings involving Besigye and Lutale.
The development has also sparked debate among legal practitioners and civil society actors regarding regional integration, legal cooperation and freedom of movement within the East African Community.
As of Monday evening, Ugandan authorities had not publicly issued any additional explanation beyond the immigration notice issued at Entebbe Airport.
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