The opposition political parties have asked the government to reverse the Persona non grata status of Dr. Kizza Besigye’s defence lawyer, Martha Karua, who was denied entry to Uganda through Entebbe International Airport.
Michael Phillip Lulume Bayigga, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party Deputy President for Buganda region revealed that the declaration of Karua as Persona Non Grata doesn’t represent Uganda as a leading actor in the East African Community, which guarantees the East Africans the freedom of movement.
While addressing the press on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026, at the party headquarters on Katonga Road in Kampala, Lulume said that the opposition will look on as those vested with power dismantle the rule of law in the country.
“We demand an immediate reversal of the declaration of senior counsel Martha Karua as persona non grata. We all know how such declarations are made. They don’t come from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), which lacks the legal mandate to influence the state this way,” Lulume said.
Lulume also demanded judicial and security interference with the right of Dr. Besigye and all accused persons to legal representation of their choice.
“We all have to make our own choices, and the state cannot stop me from choosing whoever legal counsel is going to represent me. Uganda should be committed to the rule of law, and the legal profession must be more than rhetorical,” Lulume added.
According to Sadam Gayira, the National Chairperson of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the state’s move to block Karua is allegedly intended to silence and intimidate all those with the voice to speak against the ongoing abuse of human rights in Uganda.
According to Jimmy Akena, the President of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party, the State’s decision to declare Karua an unwanted person will affect the nation within the East African Community.
“We are making news for the wrong reason: we talk about regional integration, but we are even disintegrating our own region and politics. This is not the Uganda we aspire to. Those in authority should act because our country can’t be a laughing stock,” Akena said.
Karua herself has called the move unlawful and politically motivated. She traveled to Uganda as part of a high-profile legal team defending prominent opposition figures, including Dr.Kizza Besigye, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and Erias Lukwago, among others.
In her televised speech, Karua promised to return to Uganda only after President Museveniand 00 had retired from the presidency.
