The legal team representing veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye has suffered a fresh setback after Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport on Monday.

Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister and a key member of Besigye’s multinational defence team, said immigration officials directed her to return to Kenya without providing any explanation for the decision.

The senior lawyer had travelled to Uganda alongside the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama. While Kanjama was reportedly cleared and allowed into the country, Karua was denied entry and instructed to leave immediately.

The development comes at a critical stage in the ongoing treason proceedings against Dr. Besigye, Hajj Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola, who are currently facing charges before the High Court. The trio deny all allegations brought against them.

Karua’s denial of entry further complicates an already challenging period for the defence team, which is still grappling with the absence of its lead counsel, Erias Lukwago. The prominent Ugandan lawyer remains on remand after being charged separately with misprision of treason.

With Lukwago in detention and Karua unable to access the country, the defence has effectively been deprived of two of its most senior and experienced legal practitioners at a time when the case is moving closer to substantive hearing.

Karua has played a prominent role in Besigye’s defence since joining the legal team in 2025. Throughout the proceedings, she has repeatedly challenged aspects of the prosecution’s case, questioned procedural delays and raised concerns regarding the constitutional rights of the accused persons.

She has also been vocal on issues relating to Besigye’s health, detention conditions and access to a fair hearing.

Earlier this month, Karua joined other defence lawyers in objecting to court proceedings after prison authorities failed to produce Besigye and Lutale before the High Court. The defence argued that continuing proceedings in the absence of the accused would violate their right to a fair hearing.

The case itself has attracted regional and international attention due to the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s arrest in Nairobi in November 2024 and his subsequent transfer to Uganda.

At the time, Karua publicly condemned the arrest and later joined the legal team seeking to challenge various aspects of the prosecution’s case.

Her involvement initially faced obstacles after Ugandan authorities declined to grant her a temporary practising certificate. The decision sparked criticism from legal bodies within the East African region before authorities later cleared her participation in the proceedings.

The latest development is expected to generate renewed debate among legal observers and human rights advocates regarding access to legal representation in politically sensitive cases.

By press time, Ugandan immigration authorities had not publicly explained the reasons behind Karua’s denial of entry.

Meanwhile, proceedings in the treason case against Besigye, Lutale and Oola are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the High Court prepares for the next phase of the trial.