The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has alleged that the denial of entry to Senior Counsel Martha Karua through Entebbe International Airport is a state-calculated move to completely dismantle the legal defence of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, describing the move as an assault on the rule of law.
According to the party, Karua, who leads the legal team of Besigye and his counterpart Kamulegeya, was denied entry into Uganda on the morning of Monday, June 22nd, 2026, at Entebbe International Airport for an unidentified reason.
The party revealed that Karua had flown into Uganda to join her counterpart Erias Lukwago for his bail application hearing at the Makindye Magistrate’s Court. However, her colleagues were allowed into Uganda, but she was ordered to return to Kenya.
“To ensure that our leaders are completely isolated from robust legal representation, the state has denied entry to our international lead counsel, Senior Counsel Martha Karua, at Entebbe International Airport. By blocking an international jurist, the regime has signaled its absolute contempt for international legal standards and regional protocols,” the statement read in part.
In the party statement released on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, the party leadership appealed to the change-seeking forces, both local and international, to condemn and rise against the violation of the law.
“We call upon all freedom-loving Ugandans, the Uganda Law Society, and the international community to stand up against this blatant tyranny. A regime that fights lawyers has already lost the moral argument,” the statement read.
While appearing in the Makindye Magistrates Court on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, for a bail application hearing, Lukwago’s defence legal team, led by Counsel Medard Sseggona, requested to bring to the attention of the court that their client needs medical attention because of a dislocated disc in the back. However, the court adjourned until 2pm to verify medical reports submitted by the defence team.
Lukwago was arrested and charged with misprision of treason for allegedly knowing about a plot to overthrow the Ugandan government but failing to report it to authorities.
