Martha Karua, senior counsel and PLP leader, is travelling to Nairobi after being detained and denied entry by Ugandan officials earlier today.
She has left Entebbe and should arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport later that day.
Her team reports that Karua was briefly held at Entebbe International Airport before being turned away; Ugandan authorities have not offered an explanation.
Journalists are invited to a press briefing at JKIA at 4:00 PM upon her arrival, where she will discuss her detention, denial of entry, and subsequent release.
The team said the incident signals concerns over respect for the rule of law and democratic freedoms within the East African Community, and that more details will be provided at the briefing.
The Uganda Law Society said Karua was barred from entering Uganda and ordered to return home; she had flown with Kenya Airways alongside Charles Kanjama, president of the Law Society of Kenya, to attend a court session on the bail application of Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye.
Upon arrival at Entebbe, Karua joined a team defending her Ugandan client, Erias Lukwago, with whom she co‑represents detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who faces a treason trial.
Lukwago, himself charged with a treason‑related offence last week, had his bail hearing scheduled for Monday.
Ugandan authorities gave no reason for blocking Karua, though Kanjama, who travelled with her, was permitted entry.
Kanjama expressed concern that Karua was denied entry despite traveling “for the same matter and in the same professional capacity” as him.
“It is hard to understand why one member of a defence team is admitted while another is turned away,” he said in a post on X, urging Ugandan officials to explain their decision.
According to the BBC, Uganda’s immigration authorities have not responded to a request for comment.
Karua’s office described the matter as urgent and said it was working to obtain information from Ugandan authorities about her status and expected return to Nairobi.
Lukwago appeared in court last Wednesday looking weakened after his arrest at home.
He denied failing to report treason related to Besigye’s case and was remanded in prison.
Besigye has been imprisoned on treason charges since being abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda late last year; his capture, along with that of aide Obeid Lutale, ignited regional debate over legal jurisdiction and human rights.