By our Reporter
NEWS
Uganda Law Council has summoned a special meeting to reconsider the application of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua in the case of Dr. Kizza Besigye
In a letter by the Uganda Law Society president, Isaac Ssemakadde, the meeting is scheduled for Monday 6th January, 2025, at 10am.
It should be recalled that the council previously (on December 6) declined Karua’s application for a temporary legal practice in Uganda to lead a team of lawyers in the Dr. Kizza Besigye and Haj. Obeid Lutaale Kamulegeya case. The duo was arrested in Kenya and deported to Uganda where they were charged with two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition in the General Court Martial and remanded to Luzira.
The rejection sparked backlash from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which threatened to suspend Ugandan advocates from practicing in Kenya. Faith Odhiambo, President of the LSK, strongly criticized the decision, describing it as “derogatory, contemptuous, and high-handed” She argued that the move undermined the mutual cooperation between the Kenyan and Ugandan legal communities and called the reasons provided for the rejection “ludicrous and distasteful,”
“It is inconceivable that the Law Council of Uganda would gold such little regard for Kenyan practitioners, no less, a reputable member of the Senior Counsel Bar,” said Odhiambo.
On December 23, Karua reapplied for the certificate, and her application is now up for reconsideration.
Ssemakadde emphasized the importance of the upcoming meeting, calling it a, “crucial opportunity for the council to reexamine its approach to cross-border legal practice requests and demonstrate true transparency and fairness.”
“If her application is successful, Ms. Karua will be able to lead the defence team for Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutaale at the General Court Martial the following day,” he said.
Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale will reappear to the General Court Martial on January 7.
