Martha Karua, Kenya’s senior counsel and renowned human rights advocate, has received a temporary practicing certificate from the Ugandan Law Council. This permits her to represent detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in his court-martial case.
The certificate was issued on Monday after Karua re-applied through the Uganda Law Society, as directed by the society’s president, Isaac Ssemakadde. The society confirmed the development, stating, “The Law Council has granted a temporary Practicing Certificate to Hon. Martha Karua, following her reapplication.”
Karua’s initial application was rejected four weeks ago due to procedural issues. The Ugandan Law Council cited a lack of notarized copies of her Kenyan practicing certificate and a letter of good standing from the Law Society of Kenya. Additionally, the council noted the absence of Karua’s nationality documents and academic qualifications, which were also missing in the application of co-counsel Erias Lukwago.
Karua is leading Besigye’s legal team after his alleged abduction in Kenya and subsequent court-martial in Uganda alongside his associate, Obeid Lutale.
The East Africa Law Society (EALS) criticized the earlier rejection of Karua’s application. EALS President Ramadhan Abubakar condemned the decision, stating that it undermined regional integration efforts and jeopardized the progress made in fostering cross-border legal practice within the East African Community (EAC).
“This arbitrary decision erodes gains towards actualizing cross-border legal practice in the East African region and contradicts the spirit of the EAC Treaty,” Abubakar remarked.
He emphasized that the refusal went against the Common Market Protocol, which guarantees the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital among EAC member states. Abubakar called for partner states to fully implement the protocol under Articles 126 and 11 of the EAC Treaty and Protocol, respectively.
Karua’s successful reapplication now highlights the importance of mutual legal recognition within the region, as she prepares to defend Besigye in a highly scrutinized case.
