Uganda under fire for blocking Martha Karua as rights group warns of cross-border repression

Human rights organisation Defenders Coalition has condemned Uganda’s decision to deny Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua entry into the country, saying the move raises concerns about access to justice, free movement within the East African Community, and the independence of the legal profession.

In a statement issued in Nairobi, the organisation said Karua was denied entry at Entebbe International Airport on June 22 without any justifiable cause or adequate explanation.

According to the organisation, Karua had travelled with a team of Kenyan lawyers to handle a legal matter involving Erias Lukwago, Senior Advocate and a member of the legal team representing opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.

Defenders Coalition noted that while Karua was denied entry, the other Kenyan lawyers she was travelling with were allowed into Uganda, raising questions about how the decision was reached.

The organisation said Karua was given no explanation at the time and was only informed of the decision after she had already been returned to Kenya.

“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 African Community,” the statement read.

Defenders Coalition said the incident reflects wider concerns over the treatment of human rights defenders and legal practitioners working across borders in the region.

“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,” it said.

“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 organisation added.

The coalition further cited regional and international legal instruments, including Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantee the right to a fair hearing and legal protection.

It called on Ugandan authorities to provide clear reasons for denying Karua entry and urged them to uphold their obligations under regional treaties and international human rights standards.