The defense team in the ongoing treason case involving Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya has condemned the detention of Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was denied entry through Entebbe airport ahead of Lukwago’s bail application hearing at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Makindye.

According to the statement released on Monday, June 22nd, 2026, Karua is being held at Entebbe airport, and security has since denied access to her family and other members of the defense team.

“We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the detention of Senior Counsel Martha Karua at Entebbe International Airport on 22nd June 2026, where she is being held incommunicado, denied all contact with counsel, with the defense team, and with her own family, pending an unlawful deportation to the Republic of Kenya,” the statement read in part.

Additionally, the team has also demanded the immediate cessation of the incommunicado detention of Senior Counsel Karua and unimpeded access to her by her lawyers, and the Kenyan diplomatic mission.

“We demand that any deportation be halted pending lawful determination, reasons furnished in writing, and her right to challenge the decision respected. Welcome intervention of the Uganda Law Society, the Law Society of Kenya, the East Africa Law Society, and other stakeholders in this urgent matter,” the statement read.

In the statement, the defense team also urged the diplomatic missions of Kenya and the international community, and the relevant United Nations Special Procedures, to seize this issue as a matter of urgency.

According to the team, the detention and threatened deportation of Karua violate the free movement of persons and the principles of good governance, the rule of law, and human rights guaranteed by Articles 6(d), 7(2), and 104 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s multinational defense team is a large coalition of over 50 lawyers from Uganda and Kenya. The team is spearheaded by Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua and Erias Lukwago. Other prominent members and key figures on the defense team include Ernest Kalibbala, Eron Kiiza, and Kato Tumusiime, among others.

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.