Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua's deportation from Uganda condemned

The People's Front for Freedom (PFF) has strongly condemned the deportation of Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua from Entebbe International Airport, labeling the action as unlawful, politically motivated, and an attack on the rule of law. The opposition party stated that Karua was detained without communication before being placed on a flight back to Kenya after arriving in Uganda on June 22, 2026.

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The People's Front for Freedom strongly condemns the high-handed, illegal and politically motivated actions of the Ugandan authorities at Entebbe International Airport today. Senior Counsel Martha Karua was held incommunicado and subsequently deported back to Kenya.

"The People's Front for Freedom strongly condemns the high-handed, illegal and politically motivated actions of the Ugandan authorities at Entebbe International Airport today. Senior Counsel Martha Karua was held incommunicado and subsequently deported back to Kenya," the PFF said in a statement. The party rejected the government's justification for the deportation, asserting that the decision raises concerns about respect for legal and diplomatic norms within the East African region.

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The state's justification declaring SC Martha Karua 'persona non grata' is not only a mockery of diplomatic relations but a direct assault on the rule of law and the East African legal fraternity.

PFF argued that declaring Karua 'persona non grata' was a mockery of diplomatic relations and a direct assault on the rule of law and the East African legal fraternity. The party highlighted that Karua is licensed to practice law in Uganda and is part of the legal team representing opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale in an ongoing treason case. "Her arbitrary deportation is a transparent attempt by the state to deny Dr Besigye and Hajji Obeid their right to legal representation of their choice," the statement read.

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Her arbitrary deportation is a transparent attempt by the state to deny Dr Besigye and Hajji Obeid their right to legal representation of their choice.

The party further linked the incident to a broader pattern of interference with lawyers representing opposition politicians, citing the recent arrest and prosecution of its Executive Chairman, Erias Lukwago, who is also part of Besigye's legal team. PFF called on the Ugandan government to uphold international legal standards and allow lawyers representing opposition figures to carry out their duties without interference. Government authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations by press time.

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We demand that the Ugandan government respect international legal norms, cease the harassment of legal practitioners, and immediately allow Dr Kizza Besigye's defence team to carry out their duties without state interference.