It is a reprieve for Martha Karua, as the Uganda Law Council is set to meet on January 6 to determine whether she can practice law in Uganda.
This after being blocked from representing Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye at Uganda’s Court Martial on December 6, 2024.
In a letter dated January 3, signed by Isaac K. Ssemakadde, President of the Uganda Law Society, the society stated it will deliberate on the way forward in regard to Karua’s resubmissions.
“The Law Council has called for a special meeting on Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10:00 am, to consider an application for a temporary practicing certificate from the distinguished Kenyan advocate Martha Karua, Senior Counsel, which she resubmitted on the afternoon of December 23, 2024,” read the statement in part.
Ugandan Opposition leader Kifefe Kizza Besigye
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Kifefe Kizza Besigye
Karua, after being blocked, resubmitted an application for a temporary practicing certificate to the Law Council to represent Besigye on December 23, last year.
In the statement, the Uganda Law Society noted that after the meeting it will issue an official communication on reasons why Karua’s initial application was turned down.
Reportedly, the Uganda Law Society had earlier rejected Karua’s application on procedural grounds, citing the absence of notarised copies of her practicing certificate, a letter of good standing from the Law Society of Kenya, and other documentation.
“This is a crucial opportunity for the Council to re-examine its approach to requests for cross-border legal practice and demonstrate true transparency and fairness,” the Uganda Law Society added.
The society noted it will consider the matter carefully, taking on account issues raised by the Karua in her resubmissions. “If her application is successful, Karua will be able to lead the defence team for Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale at the general court martial the following day.”
Karua, who is also a Narc-Kenya leader, decried frustration from the Ugandan government in her quest to defend the country’s opposition leader, Besigye. She noted that the relevant authorities had been taking her on rounds.
She was expected to lead a 50-member legal team, including representatives from the Pan-African Lawyers Union and the International Commission of Jurists, in defending Besigye before being blocked.
Besigye’s case drew significant attention, both regionally and internationally, as concerns over political freedoms and judicial processes in East Africa come under scrutiny.
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua(center) in company of former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwa(left), Asha Bashir,Ekuru Aukot, John Kamau and Mukisa Kituyi(right).