Senior Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua has issued a bold assertion towards the Uganda Law Council (ULC) for its refusal to consider her application for a special temporary practicing certificate.
In a letter dated December 9, 2024, and addressed to the ULC Secretary/Commissioner Navakooza K. Margaret, Karua accused the Council of unfairly declining her application, accusing them of ‘malice and procedural unfairness.’’
She narrated the version of events surrounding her recent appearance in a court martial hearing for the case of Kizza Besigye in Uganda on December 2, 2024.
Karua stated that she attended the hearing as a “visiting jurist” accompanied by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who introduced her to the court and informed them that she was “waiting for the approval of her special license to practice law in Uganda for purposes of the case before them.”
However, Karua argued that, to her dismay, the ULC declined her application for the temporary practicing certificate in a letter dated December 6th, 2024.
“The ULC cited several reasons, including that copies of Karua’s Kenyan practicing certificate and letter of good standing were not notarised, and that her nationality documents and academic qualifications were not attached,” Karua said.
Karua stated that rather than using these as grounds to decline the application outright, the ULC should have simply requested additional documents.
“Lukwago, a well-known Ugandan advocate, had his own practicing certificate, suggesting the ULC was being overly bureaucratic,” Karua said.
Responding to the Council’s concern over her credibility to justify her involvement in Besigye’s case, Karua asserted that it was Besigye’s constitutional right to appoint lawyers of his choice, including a lead counsel.
In her conclusion, Karua urged the ULC to reconsider her application using their discretion under Ugandan law and to do so “judiciously and in accordance with the constitution and law of Uganda”.
The high-profile case and Karua’s stinging rebuke of the ULC’s decision are likely to add further complexity to an already contentious legal battle. It remains to be seen how the council authorities will respond to Karua’s accusations and demands.
