THE UNLAWFUL DETENTION OF SENIOR COUNSEL, MARTHA KARUA: A CALL TO RESIST AUTHORITARIANISM IN EAST AFRICA

May 27, 2026

The blatant, high-handed, and lawless detention of Senior Counsel Martha Karua at Entebbe International Airport by Ugandan authorities earlier today represents yet another breaking point for the East African community (EAC). Ms. Karua, a distinguished Senior Counsel of the Kenyan Bar, former Minister for Justice & Constitutional Affairs, and an esteemed regional lawyer, was intercepted and held incommunicado. She was unlawfully deported after being denied contact with her family, legal counsel, and diplomatic representatives. Her only "offense" was traveling to Uganda to fulfill her professional and moral duty: providing legal solidarity at the bail ruling of Hon. Erias Lukwago and supporting the defense team of Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale. This is not an isolated border incident. It is a direct execution of the authoritarian “Rectification Campaign” publicly threatened by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who has openly vowed to criminalize the legal profession and dismantle the rule of law by force. A CALL TO ACTION FOR THE PEOPLE OF EAST AFRICA (JUMUIYA) We condemn this unconscionable assault on the administration of justice in the strongest terms. The continuous regression into tyranny within our region cannot be tolerated. I draw your attention to my statement of 5 May 2026 which refers to democratic regression within our Jumuiya, and a seemingly coordinated approach by the three Presidents to crackdown on dissent across borders. Jumuiya citizens must resist escalating authoritarianism in the true spirit of people-centred integration. The foundational pillars of the EAC Treaty: governance, human rights, and the free movement of persons, are being systematically shredded. We must collectively reject the normalization of military-style despotism, particularly now when a political confederation is being advanced. DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE DIPLOMATIC RETALIATION President Ruto cannot be silent while Kenyan citizens are subjected to cruel, degrading, and incommunicado treatment by a neighboring state.

There must be immediate, decisive diplomatic action from the executive leadership of the Republic of Kenya. Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, should urgently demarche the Ugandan High Commissioner in Nairobi. Ambassador Eunice Kigenyi must be summoned immediately to answer for this egregious violation of international law and to guarantee non-recurrence. The Jumuiya will not watch in silence as the region plunges back into the dark ages of autocratic terror.

By

Hon. David K. Maraga _______________________________________ UGM Party Leader and Presidential Flagbearer