Martha Karua decries rigorous body searches, harassment at military court
Former Kenya's Justice Minister, Ms Martha Karua at the General Court Martial in Makindye, a Kampala suburb where she had gone to represent Uganda's veteran opposition politician, Dr Kizza Besigye accused of offences related to national security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. PHOTO/ ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- Before attending the court session, Ms Karua, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and other defense lawyers passed by the offices of the Uganda Law Council in Kampala to get an update on her certificate which she applied for last Thursday.
Former Justice Minister of Kenya, Ms Martha Karua has decried what she described as rigorous body searches and harassment by the Ugandan military at the Makindye-based General Court Martial.
“We were body-checked at the gate. What would make them subject us to a second body check? You can see the harassment we have to endure,” she said.
The NARC Kenya party leader who jetted into Uganda on Sunday was meant to lead a team of over 50 defence lawyers for veteran opposition activist, Dr Kizza Besigye and his colleague Obeid Lutale who were allegedly abducted from Nairobi on November 16, as they were arraigned before the General Court Martial in Makindye on Tuesday (December 2).
Hajj Obeid Lutale and Besigye in the dock
Ms Karua told reporters shortly after the adjournment of the session that the manner in which Uganda’s military treated her was “extremely demeaning.”
“I wondered why they body-checked us twice yet it is just a short distance from the gate and court entrance,” she said.
She could not represent Dr Besigye in court because Uganda Law Council is yet to issue her with a temporary practicing certificate.
Dr Besigye and Hajj Lutale were first arraigned before the army court on November 20 and charged with offences related to national security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
“We have been able to have an audience with our clients in the Court and our clients were very firm that we ought to adjourn so that we can get clearance (practising certificate) from the law council,” she said.
The Brig Freeman Mugabe-chaired court further remanded Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale to December 10 for further mention of the case pending Karua’s accreditation.
Before attending the court session, Ms Karua, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and other defense lawyers passed by the offices of the Uganda Law Council in Kampala to get an update on her certificate which she applied for last Thursday.
Ms Karua later told reporters that they did not find any official at the council but managed to speak with the Council chairperson, Justice Irene Mulyagonja who assured her that they would look into her application tomorrow or the day after.
“This morning we came here at the ULC to seek an update of my application which was received last week but we did not find any official information. I, however, spoke to the Council Chairperson Justice Irene Mulyagonja who assured me that the Council will sit and determine my application,” she said.
Justice Mulyagonja on Sunday told this publication that the Council was yet to meet and decide the fate of Ms Karua’s application.
“The whole Council has to sit [and] it has several people who are in public offices who are supposed to be given notices, for them to come and sit. Some [of them] are in Makerere University, some in the Attorney General's Office, other advocates in private practice, and others are judges like me. So the council has many people,” she said.
By the time of their alleged abduction, Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale had travelled to Nairobi to attend Ms Karua’s book launch dubbed Against the Tide which happened on November 17.
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