The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Kenya's People's Liberation Party (PLP), led by Senior Counsel Martha Karua, have criticised Ugandan authorities following reported denial of entry and subsequent deportation of Ms Karua on Monday.
On Monday morning, while she was travelling to attend court proceedings linked to opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale, Karua was reportedly denied entry at Entebbe Airport.
The twin statements issued on Monday by KLS and PLP scrutinized the treatment of lawyers involved in high-profile political cases and raised fresh concerns about the rule of law and freedom of movement within the East African Community (EAC).
Ms Karua, a former Kenyan Justice minister and Senior Counsel, said she was denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport and instructed to return to Kenya without being given reasons for the decision.
Her deportation also dealt another blow to the legal team representing Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale, coming days after Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, one of the lead defence lawyers, was arrested and charged with misprision of treason.
In a statement, the Law Society of Kenya said it had received the reports with "profound concern", noting that Ms Karua had travelled to Uganda "to observe the arraignment of Erias Lukwago, Advocate, and to support efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights of a fellow member of the legal profession.
The lawyers' body said the incident raised broader concerns about the work of advocates across the region.
"The reported denial of entry to Senior Counsel Karua raises serious concerns regarding the ability of advocates and members of the legal profession within the East African Community to freely engage on matters touching on the administration of justice and the Rule of Law," LSK president Charles Kanjama said.
Mr Kanjama described Ms Karua as one of Kenya's most distinguished advocates and a respected member of the East African legal community, adding that the circumstances surrounding her denial of entry extended beyond an individual matter.
"The reported decision to deny her entry therefore raises concerns that extend beyond the circumstances of a single individual," he said.
While acknowledging Uganda's sovereign right to regulate entry into its territory, the society said such actions should remain consistent with regional obligations.
"The East African Community is founded upon shared commitments to the Rule of Law, constitutional governance, regional cooperation, and the free movement of East African citizens. These principles form the foundation upon which trust, cooperation, and regional integration are built," Mr Kanjama said.
LSK further argued that the matter was bigger than the individuals involved in the ongoing legal proceedings.
"The issue before us is larger than Hon. Erias Lukwago or Senior Counsel Martha Karua. It concerns the ability of advocates across East Africa to stand beside their clients, support their colleagues, observe legal proceedings, and discharge their professional responsibilities without undue hindrance," he said.
The society called on Ugandan authorities to provide clarity on the decision and said it stood in solidarity with Mr Lukwago, Ms Karua, the Uganda Law Society and the wider East African legal fraternity.
In a separate statement, the People's Liberation Party described the incident as an "arbitrary detention and forced deportation" of its party leader and condemned the actions taken by Ugandan authorities.
According to the statement signed by PLP Deputy Secretary General Jacob Gitau, Ms Karua had travelled alongside Mr Kanjama to attend a bail ruling involving Mr Lukwago, with whom she is part of the legal team representing Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale.
The party alleged that despite her documents being processed and stamped for entry, she was later prevented from leaving the airport and informed that she would be deported.
"This hostile action against our Party Leader is a direct assault on the independence of the legal profession and a blatant disregard for the freedom of movement within the East African Community," Mr Gitau said.
The party also linked the incident to the recent arrest of Mr Lukwago, saying developments surrounding the legal team were "deeply alarming".
"The People's Liberation Party asserts that the ability of counsel to represent their clients without intimidation is non-negotiable. We maintain that the treatment of advocates in the discharge of their professional duties is a fundamental measure of the health of any constitutional democracy," Mr Gitau said.
PLP demanded "immediate transparency" from Ugandan authorities and called for a legal justification for what it termed a violation of diplomatic and legal norms.
The party also urged Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to intervene and appealed to regional institutions to uphold "the constitutional traditions and the rule of law that all member states have pledged to defend."
