By Kato Jamil
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua is seeking clearance from the Ugandan government to represent veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye in his ongoing trial before the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala.
Karua through her official X account on Sunday, December 1, 2024, stated that she had already arrived in Kampala and that she was pushing for her clearance.
The former Justice Minister further stated that she was hopeful she would get a license that would allow her to represent Besigye in a Ugandan military court.
“I am hopeful of getting the license and already in Kampala,” Karua stated.
The former Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition presidential running mate was responding to a Ugandan citizen who had claimed that the President Yoweri Museveni-led administration had refused to allow her to represent Besigye in court.
I am hopeful of getting the license and already in Kampala https://t.co/XmG45yuzgx
— Martha Karua SC (@MarthaKarua) December 1, 2024
Karua Leads Besigye’s Legal Team
Karua was last week appointed to lead the legal defense team for Besigye, taking over Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who confirmed the leadership change during a press briefing.
He announced that a formidable team of more than 50 lawyers from Kenya and Uganda has been assembled to defend Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.
The group comprises representatives from well-known legal associations like the Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
Karua and other Kenyan lawyers need necessary temporary practising certificates to be allowed to participate in Ugandan legal proceedings.
Lukwago in his press briefing had confirmed the submission of Karua’s application to the necessary Ugandan authorities.
“We’ve already submitted Karua’s application and are confident it will be finalized swiftly. For now, the legal team will be attached to Lukwago and Company Advocates to ensure seamless collaboration between Ugandan and Kenyan lawyers,” he told journalists in Uganda.
Besigye’s trial is set to commence tomorrow Monday, December 2, 2024.
Besigye was arrested in Kenya and deported to Uganda on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, and was presented in the Ugandan military court on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Prominent Kenyan leaders criticized the actions as a violation of legal norms.
Karua On Besigye’s Arrest
Karua, a staunch advocate for human rights, issued a detailed statement condemning Besigye’s treatment and outlining the circumstances leading up to his disappearance in Nairobi.
Karua revealed that Besigye had checked into the Waridi Paradise Hotel and Suites in Nairobi before leaving for a meeting at 108 Riverside Apartments.
According to Karua, the taxi driver who transported Besigye waited in the basement parking area from 4:30 pm until around 4:00 am Sunday morning, receiving no response to his calls or messages.
Besigye had been scheduled to speak at Karua’s book launch on November 17, 2024, but failed to appear.
“We suspect that Dr Besigye may have been abducted after he was dropped at the Riverside Apartments, most likely by Ugandan authorities working in cahoots with and facilitated by Kenyan authorities,” Karua declared.
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