Kenyan Senior Counsel and former Justice Minister Martha Karua was on Monday denied entry into Uganda upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport, dealing a fresh setback to the legal team representing opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.Karua disclosed the development in a statement posted on social media, saying immigration officials instructed her to return to Kenya immediately without providing any explanation for the decision.She had travelled to Uganda together with the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Senior Counsel Charles Kanjama. According to Karua, while Kanjama was allowed entry into the country, she was denied access and ordered to leave.The incident comes at a critical moment for Besigye’s defence team, which is already grappling with the absence of one of its leading lawyers, Erias Lukwago. The Kampala Lord Mayor and senior advocate was recently arrested, charged with misprision of treason, and remanded to Murchison Bay Prison.Karua has played a prominent role in Besigye’s legal defence since early 2025, making several trips to Kampala to represent the veteran opposition leader in both military and civilian court proceedings. Throughout the case, she has challenged the legality of Besigye’s detention, opposed procedural delays, and argued that the accused persons’ constitutional rights to a fair hearing must be respected.Her latest court appearance in Uganda was earlier this month during pre-trial proceedings before the High Court. Together with Lukwago and other defence lawyers, Karua objected to the continuation of proceedings after prison authorities failed to produce Besigye and Lutale in court.The defence argued that proceeding in the absence of the accused would violate their right to a fair hearing, prompting the court to adjourn the matter.The treason case has attracted significant public and regional attention. Earlier, Justice Emmanuel Baguma concluded preliminary hearings and appointed assessors despite objections from the defence, paving the way for the substantive hearing of the case.Besigye, Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola are facing treason charges before the High Court. All three have denied the allegations.Karua’s involvement in the case dates back to November 2024, when Besigye and Lutale were allegedly seized from a hotel in Nairobi while awaiting attendance at the launch of her book. Following the incident, Karua sought to join the defence team but was initially denied a practising licence in Uganda, a move that sparked criticism from legal circles and prompted the Law Society of Kenya to threaten reciprocal action against Ugandan advocates practising in Kenya.Monday’s decision to deny Karua entry further complicates the defence strategy in one of Uganda’s most closely watched political trials. With Lukwago currently in detention and Karua barred from entering the country, Besigye’s legal team has been left without two of its most senior members on the ground as preparations for the substantive hearing continue.Ugandan authorities had not publicly commented on Karua’s denial of entry by press time.The post Karua Denied Entry into Uganda, Further Weakening Besigye Defence Team appeared first on The Insider.