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Why Uganda is Blocking Martha Karua From Representing Besigye.
Narc-Kenya leader and lawyer Martha Karua has decried frustration from the Ugandan government in her quest to defend the country’s opposition leader, Kizza Besigye.
Karua has revealed that she is still waiting to receive the required license from the Ugandan government to allow her to defend Besyge in court despite applying for it 10 days ago.
The Narc-Kenya leader revealed that the relevant authorities have been taking her on rounds, claiming that the license is still in processing.
“I applied by Ugandan law for a special license to practice just for the Besyge and Lutale case. The physical copy of the application was received and stamped on November 27, but to date, I have not gotten a response,” Karua revealed.
“I visited their offices, I have followed with three telephone calls to the chairperson of the law council, Justice Muliangoja, and every time she says they are processing,” the former Justice Minister continued.
Karua has expressed her worry over the prolonging of issuing her the special license even though she satisfactorily proves her ability and evidence of practice.
“Why is it so difficult? All I needed was to show I had a valid practicing certificate in Kenya. I also included that I have a rank of the Senior Council, and I had a letter from the law society confirming all those three,” Karua revealed.
According to Karua, the Ugandan government is violating the rights of Besigye yet again after abducting him in Nairobi on the eve of Karua’s book launch and hurriedly driving him to Uganda. Besyige has been in Luzira Prison for 21 days now.
A relentless Karua has insisted that she will not fold and will be going back to Uganda, assuring that no effort to derail her pursuit will prevail.
“I will be going back to Kampala on December 10, when I appear again before the military case to resume on Besigye’s case, whether or not I will have an audience, I will be there,” Karua assured.
The high-profile case has drawn significant attention, both regionally and internationally, as concerns over political freedoms and judicial processes in East Africa come under scrutiny.
Karua, known for her staunch advocacy for democracy and the rule of law, is leading a team of 50 lawyers drawn from Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the East African Law Society.
Lawyers from other countries have however have been blocked from representing the opposition leader.
