The Senior Counsel is in Uganda to attend the hearing of treason charges against the country’s opposition leader, Kizza Besigye.
In a post on her X account, Karua
expressed joy over the smooth entry into Uganda, stating that it happened
“without any hitch.”
She is accompanied by human rights campaigner Lynn Ngugi, with whom she was denied entry into Tanzania on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
“In Uganda with Lynn Ngugi for the Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale case. Our entry was without a hitch—in the spirit of Jumuiya,” Karua posted on X on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Besigye was charged with treason in April in a civilian court after his controversial case was transferred from a military tribunal.
Treason is a capital offence in Uganda, and if found guilty, the 68-year-old could face the death penalty.
Besigye, who has contested the presidency against long-serving leader Yoweri Museveni four times, has been in detention since he was dramatically abducted in Kenya in November and returned to Uganda to face trial.
Karua has sought a license from a Ugandan court to practice law in the country in order to represent Besigye.
On Sunday, May 18, Karua was among a group of Kenyan lawyers and human rights activists who were denied entry into Tanzania and later deported.
They had travelled to attend the hearing of opposition leader Tundu Lissu's case.
Former Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other prominent activists were also stopped and held at the Julius Nyerere International Airport before being deported.
Following her deportation, Karua voiced concern over the apparent restrictions on her freedom of movement within the East African Community (EAC).
“I am concerned that, as a citizen of Jumuiya, my access within the East African Community appears inexplicably restricted,” she said.
Karua served as Kenya's Minister for
Justice from 2005 to 2009 and was the running mate of former Prime Minister
Raila Odinga in his 2022 presidential campaign.
On Monday, May 19, 2025, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu declared that she would not allow activists to “cause trouble” in the country.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei publicly supported Suluhu’s decision to bar the activists.
The senior UDA member praised Suluhu for what he called a bold move to stop the “export of bad manners” into Tanzania.
“I fully support H.E. Suluhu, President of the United Republic of Tanzania 🇹🇿, for banning Kenya’s activists who tried to interfere with her country’s domestic affairs,” Cherargei posted on X on May 20, 2025.
“The principles of international relations provide for mutual respect between friendly nations. Activists should not transfer bad manners to Tanzania,” he added.
