Kenyan senior counsel and former Justice Minister Martha Karua has broken her silence after being denied entry into Uganda and deported from Entebbe International Airport.
The veteran lawyer says the experience was both shocking and confusing, raising fresh questions about freedom of movement within the East African Community.
Karua had travelled to Uganda to attend court proceedings involving opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.
She was also expected to support Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and other members of the legal team handling the high-profile case.
According to Karua, her journey took an unexpected turn shortly after she landed at Entebbe International Airport.
She revealed that immigration officials initially cleared her and allowed her to proceed through the normal entry process.
However, the situation changed moments later while she was waiting for her colleagues at the baggage collection area.
“So I was processed by immigration the normal way, and I passed,” Karua explained. “And at the baggage area, I was waiting for my colleagues to be cleared.”
“Then the lady who had cleared me came and told me that she was informed she had made a mistake.”
“She said there was a note against my name and asked me to see the supervisor.”
Karua said she was escorted between several immigration officials before being taken to the office of the principal immigration officer.
It was there that she learned authorities had decided to block her entry into Uganda.
“They asked him what to do, and he asked them what the note said,” she recalled.
“And they said the note said they should deny entry.” “He told them to go and put it into effect.”
The Kenyan politician questioned why she was being denied access despite carrying valid travel documents recognized within the East African region.
She noted that she holds an East African passport and was travelling on legitimate professional business.
“I’m a holder of an East African passport, and I’m there legitimately,” she said.
“Can I be told which section of the laws of Uganda and which particular law I have broken?”
Karua further claimed that officials asked her to complete forms containing information already available in her passport.
She declined, arguing that the process appeared unnecessary.
The situation reportedly became more tense when immigration officers confiscated her mobile phones.
Karua described the action as abrupt and lacking any proper explanation.
“And in the course of that conversation, one of them snatched my phone,” she said.
“One of my phones which I was holding in my hands, very rudely.”
“And I told him he didn’t have to act like a bully.”
“He should have asked for the phone if he wanted it.”
She alleged that a second phone was later taken when she attempted to communicate with colleagues in Nairobi.
The senior lawyer said she became concerned that officials might be accessing sensitive information stored on her devices.
“I told him not with what has transpired,” she said.
“First tell me why they have confiscated my phones.”
“What are they doing with them?”
“Because I suspected they were mining information from my two phones.”
Karua said repeated requests for an explanation yielded only one response from immigration officials.
According to her, authorities cited security concerns but failed to provide any further details.
“I asked for reasons of my denial of entry,” she said.
“He didn’t give any.” “He just said, ‘Security.'” “Why are you holding my phones?” “‘Security.'”
“That they are a security threat to Uganda.”
The incident has sparked reactions from legal bodies in both Uganda and Kenya.
The Uganda Law Society expressed concern over the matter, arguing that it touches on the East African Community’s principles of free movement and professional recognition.
The body also noted that Karua possessed a valid special practising certificate issued by Ugandan legal authorities.
Meanwhile, the Law Society of Kenya called for a formal explanation from Ugandan authorities.
The organization argued that the incident raises important questions about whether lawyers can freely carry out professional duties across East Africa.
Karua’s People’s Liberation Party also condemned the deportation.
The party described the incident as an attack on the independence of the legal profession and called for accountability at the regional level.
As debate continues, the deportation of one of East Africa’s most prominent lawyers has become a major talking point among legal experts, politicians, and human rights advocates.
The controversy is expected to keep attracting attention as demands grow for a clearer explanation regarding the decision to deny Martha Karua entry into Uganda.
