Nairobi Kenya- 24th June 2026
Defenders Coalition joins human rights defenders in condemning the denial of entry of Hon. Martha Karua, SC, into the Republic of Uganda on 22nd June 2026 without any justifiable cause or sufficient reasons.
Hon. Karua had travelled in the company of other lawyers from Kenya to attend to a legal matter concerning Hon. Erias Lukwago, Senior Advocate and part of the legal team of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader. Hon Karua was denied entry without explanation upon arriving at Entebbe International Airport, while other lawyers, including Mr Charles Kanjama, President of the Law Society of Kenya, were allowed entry.
Hon Karua’s phone was also confiscated temporarily, before being returned to her, which she had reservations about taking back. It is stated that it was only upon boarding her flight, being deported back to Kenya, that she was issued with a document stating that she had been declared a persona non grata in the Republic of Uganda.This situation highlights growing concerns and a pattern of cross-border repression against human rights defenders, reflected in related restrictions across the region while undertaking court monitoring and solidarity missions, including Martha Karua, Willy Mutunga, Hanifa Adan, and Boniface Mwangi, who were in 2025 denied entry into Tanzania.
These incidents collectively point to increasing restrictions on solidarity, access to justice, independence of the legal profession and legal representation of those who champion human rights and freedoms as enshrined in national laws, and regional and international conventions.
The administration of justice is pegged on the ability of legal practitioners to exercise their professional mandate in an independent manner free of any interference or prejudice. Hon Karua, in her legal capacity, was going to discharge her legal duties. In addition, the denial of entry without justifiable reasons raises concerns on the free movement of persons within the East Africa region as provided under the treaty establishing the East Africa Community. Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also guarantee the right to a fair hearing. Denial of Hon Karua’s entry to discharge her legal mandate was a violation of her client’s right. Further, the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers require States to ensure that lawyers can perform their professional functions without interference, hindrance or harassment.
Defenders Coalition calls upon the relevant authorities in the Republic of Uganda to provide clear legal reasons that resulted in the denial of entry of Hon Martha Karua and reiterates the need to adhere to democratic, constitutional and legal principles in decision making.
Signed,
Defenders Coalition.