The Uganda Law Council has issued a temporary practicing certificate to Kenya’s former Justice Minister, Martha Karua, to enable her to represent jailed Ugandan veteran opposition politician, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and his political associate, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, before the General Court Martial tomorrow, Tuesday.

The certificate was issued to Karua on Monday after a special meeting chaired by the Justice of the Court of Appeal, Irene Mulyagonja, to consider her (Karua’s) appeal. Karua is the lead counsel for Besigye and Lutale, who are battling charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition in the General Court Martial. Since she is not a Uganda citizen, Karua applied for a temporary practicing certificate at Uganda Law Council to enable her to represent her clients. However, on December 6, 2024, just four days before Besigye and Lutale were brought to court, Karua was informed that her application had been rejected. 

On December 23, 2024, Karua appealed. She resubmitted her application to the Uganda Law Council together with a communication from the Uganda Law Society expressing grave concerns about the Council’s prior decision to reject her initial application. In a unanimous decision on Monday, the council members issued the certificate to Karua. Besigye and Lutale return to court on Tuesday.

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