Dr Kizza Besigye has dragged Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to the High court over the deportation of Kenyan lead lawyer, Martha Karua.According to the application filed together with his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, Karua arrived at Entebbe International Airport on June 22, 2026, to represent Besigye and Lutale in their treason case. However, she was allegedly blocked from entering Uganda, detained, had her mobile phones confiscated, and was later deported to Nairobi after being declared a prohibited immigrant.The application, filed under the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act and various provisions of the Constitution, names Muhoozi as the first respondent and the Attorney General as the second respondent.Besigye and Lutale argue that Karua’s deportation forms part of an ongoing effort to undermine their legal defence in the treason case, in which they are jointly charged with Captain Denis Oola.They want the court to declare that they are entitled to legal representation by advocates of their choice, including Karua, whom they describe as their duly instructed lead counsel since November 2024.The applicants contend that the immigration decision was unlawful because persona non grata is not among the grounds for classifying a person as a prohibited immigrant under Uganda’s Citizenship and Immigration Control Act.They further argue that the decision was made without giving Karua an opportunity to be heard, contrary to the constitutional guarantees of due process and a fair hearing. They also contend that the confiscation of Karua’s mobile phones compromised confidential lawyer-client communications, thereby violating their constitutional rights to privacy and a fair hearing.Besigye and Lutale further allege that Karua’s deportation was part of a wider campaign to obstruct their defence by intimidating members of their legal team. The application also cites the military detention and prosecution of former Kampala Lord Mayor and lawyer Erias Lukwago, who is a member of their defence team.They contend that Lukwago’s prosecution on allegations of misprision of treason was initiated because he was representing them rather than for any legitimate prosecutorial purpose.They want the court to declare that the alleged actions against Lukwago amount to political persecution and constitute unlawful interference with the independence of the legal profession and the administration of justice.Besigye and Lutale further accuse Muhoozi of making public statements declaring Besigye guilty before trial, threatening his life, and claiming responsibility for Karua’s deportation.They argue that the statements violated Besigye’s constitutional rights, including the presumption of innocence, the right to life and dignity, while also interfering with the independence of the judiciary.The applicants want the High court to nullify the decision declaring Karua a prohibited immigrant or persona non grata. They also seek a permanent injunction restraining Muhoozi and the government from preventing her entry into Uganda for purposes of legal representation.They are further seeking orders restraining the authorities from continuing the prosecution of Lukwago over charges they argue arise from his representation of them, as well as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged violation of their constitutional rights.In a supporting affidavit, lawyer Morgan Muhindo says he personally reviewed public statements allegedly published on Muhoozi’s verified X account in which, according to the affidavit, the CDF claimed responsibility for Karua’s deportation and commented on members of the applicants’ legal team.Muhindo argues that the alleged conduct demonstrates a pattern aimed at determining who may legally represent Besigye and Lutale, contrary to constitutional guarantees of a fair hearing and international principles protecting the independence of lawyers.He further contends that allowing prosecuting authorities or state officials to determine an accused person’s legal representation undermines public confidence in the administration of justice and compromises the fairness of criminal proceedings.The application has been filed before the High court, which is yet to fix the matter for hearing. The court is also yet to issue directions requiring Muhoozi and the Attorney General to file their respective responses.Court records indicate that Besigye and Lutale were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024 during an event where Karua had reportedly organised a book launch. The state, however, alleges that the two had travelled to Kenya to plan the overthrow of the Ugandan government.Lukwago was arrested on June 15, 2026. Before his arrest, he was part of the legal team representing Besigye and Lutale in the treason case.The post Besigye sues Muhoozi over lawyer Martha Karua’s deportation appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.