Martha Karua Battles Uganda Law Council Over Besigye Case
Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua addressed the Uganda Law Council on December 9, criticizing their decision to deny her a temporary practicing certificate to represent Kizza Besigye as lead counsel.
In her letter to Navakooza Margaret, the council’s secretary, Karua expressed disappointment with the council’s rejection of her application, dated December 6, 2024, outlining her concerns in detail.
She refuted the six reasons cited for denying her the certificate, including claims that her application lacked notarized documentation, such as her Law Society of Kenya practicing certificate, nationality papers, academic credentials, and Erias Lukwago’s practicing certificate.
Karua argued that the council should have requested any additional documents they deemed necessary instead of outright denial.
She emphasized Lukwago’s credibility as the Lord Mayor of Kampala and a practicing advocate, noting his law firm was central to her application for the temporary license.
The council had questioned what unique expertise Karua brought to Besigye’s legal team. In response, she highlighted that Besigye had the constitutional right to select any lawyer, including a lead counsel of his choice, urging the council to process her application accordingly.
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Karua also dismissed allegations that she misrepresented herself as holding a valid Ugandan practicing certificate during the December 2 hearing in Kampala, clarifying that Lukwago had introduced her to the court as awaiting approval for her special license.
She condemned the accusations as baseless attacks on her character, accusing the council of undermining its impartiality and damaging her reputation.
Regarding her visit to the Chief Justice’s chambers with Lukwago and others, Karua explained that this was an administrative matter that did not require a practicing certificate.
Karua criticized the council for its disparaging remarks and extraneous considerations, lamenting the undermining of regional cooperation and unity within the East African Community.
The application for the temporary certificate, filed on November 27, aimed to enable Karua to represent Uganda’s opposition leader Besigye, who was abducted in Kenya and charged in a Kampala military court for allegedly possessing firearms and ammunition.
Karua, who hosted Besigye in Nairobi during her book launch, has been outspoken in defending him, attending his court proceedings even before securing the temporary practicing certificate.
Martha Karua Battles Uganda Law Council Over Besigye Case
