ENTEBBE — Martha Karua, a former justice minister for Kenya, was blocked from entering Uganda upon her arrival at Entebbe airport and ordered to return to Kenya. No reason was provided for the denial of her entry.

Karua traveled to Entebbe airport to join a defense team for Ugandan lawyer Erias Lukwago, who was charged with a treason-related offense last week. Lukwago appeared in court last Wednesday after being arrested at his home and denied charges of failing to report treason regarding the case of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, after which he was remanded in prison. Besigye has been jailed on treason charges since being forcibly returned to Uganda in late 2024 after being abducted in Kenya.

A statement from Karua's office confirmed that she had been detained at the airport. Her office also reported that she was expected to return to Nairobi on Monday but remains incommunicado. Her senior team reported that her mobile phones were switched off and they were awaiting direct communication regarding her status and projected return.

Charles Kanjama, President of the Kenya Law Society, traveled with Karua and was permitted to enter Uganda. Kanjama noted, "It is difficult to understand why one member of a defence team should be admitted while another is turned away." Karua's initial application to practice law in Uganda had previously been rejected. She was also deported from Tanzania last year to prevent her attendance at the court case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. The Law Society of Kenya called on authorities to provide clarity regarding the circumstances of Karua's denied entry to Uganda.