The Uganda Law Council has denied Kenya’s former Justice Minister and deputy presidential candidate, Martha Karua, a temporary license to defend Uganda’s opposition political activist Dr. Kizza Besigye and his political associate, Hajj Obeid Lutale.

Besigye and Lutale are being tried in the General Court Martial, where they face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The two were arrested on November 16, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya, where they had traveled to attend the book launch by Karua. 

On November 24, the lawyer of the accused and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, announced that Karua would take over from him as the lead counsel of the accused.   

However, Karua, who is not a Ugandan national, had to fulfill all the necessary requirements as laid down in the law. 

According to Section 18 of the Advocates Act, foreign lawyers wishing to practice law in Uganda must be from a Commonwealth country, obtain a temporary practicing certificate, and be affiliated with a local Ugandan law firm.

Karua meets the first requirement outright because Kenya is a Commonwealth country. She also fulfilled the second requirement after her attachment to Lukwago and Company Advocates.

She applied to the Uganda Law Council for a temporary practicing certificate, hoping to obtain it before Besigye and Lutale appeared in court on December 2, 2024.

Last Monday, Karua visited the office of the Law Council to follow up on the matter.

She did not find Council members but managed to talk to Council Chairperson Justice Irene Mulyagonja on the phone.

Justice Mulyagonja informed her that the council was yet to sit and pronounce themselves on the matter.

Karua remained optimistic that she would obtain the license before Besigye and Lutale are brought back to court on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Today, her optimism was shattered after the Law Council denied her the license on the pretext that her application is politically motivated, rather than professional.

She condemned the decision of the Council, saying it is an attack on her person and character, adding that it is unhealthy for the East African Community (EAC) or other people visiting Uganda.

She also said that the result of her application does not reflect President Yoweri Museveni’s constant remarks advocating for the East African Community.

“You would imagine that the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, being a staunch advocate of the Jumuiya (East African Community), and it is now Uganda treating in an unexpected manner a jurist from Kenya and a senior counsel. You would expect that the Law Council would use their discretion in determining whether to grant a license,” Karua said.

“There are critical issues that are raised by the Law Council that go against the laws of Uganda and the East African Treaty, and we shall definitely be taking further action,” she added.

Besigye and Lutale will be brought back to the General Court Martial on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.

Karua will accompany defense lawyers to court but will remain silent.

By ChimpReports