NARC Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua has revealed disturbing details concerning the mistreatment of Kizza Besigye’s legal team, including the assault of a colleague, at the General Court Martial in Kampala impeding their duties.
Speaking during a court hearing on Tuesday, Karua alleged that the team had been subjected to challenging conditions at the court.
She relayed to the court that even the simple process of how to enter the court with their tools of trade as previously permitted by the court had been flouted by orderlies.
“We have been subjected to very difficult conditions back and forth such that before you we are so exhausted as not to be capable of representing,” Karua stated.
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua.
Daily Nation
“We have also witnessed before your very own eyes the assault of one of the team members. When we come before you, we feel protected by you, but today that has been violated by the orderlies.”
Karua further urged the court to follow proper protocol if any member of the team breaks the law instead of assaulting them or constantly putting up roadblocks by shifting protocols every day.
This concern comes just hours after Karua finally received a temporary practicing certificate to represent Besigye after reapplying through the Ugandan Law Society after her initial application was denied.
“The Law Council has granted a temporary Practicing Certificate to Hon. Martha Karua, following her reapplication through the Uganda Law Society,” the law society announced on Monday, January 6.
On November 25, 2024, it was revealed that Karua would be leading Besigye’s legal team after he was reportedly abducted when in Nairobi to attend the launch of her memoir “Against The Tide.”
To practice in Uganda however, she needed to acquire a temporary practicing certificate, a seemingly easy process that proved tough when she received a rejection later. An intervention by the Uganda Law Society smoothened the path and she received the certificate over a month after application.
Besigye is facing trial on security-related charges including possession of a firearm and ammunition.
He was reportedly abducted in Kenya and transported to Uganda on November 16, 2024.
A collage of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and a wide-angled picture of Nairobi, Wednesday, November 20.
Photo
Canva, Courtesy