NAIROBI, KENYA: 22 JUNE 2026 — Prominent Kenyan lawyer and People’s Liberation Party (PLP) presidential aspirant Martha Karua, SC, has been detained by Ugandan authorities at Entebbe International Airport, according to an urgent press release issued by her executive office on June 22, 2026. The statement indicates that Karua is currently being held incommunicado.
Karua arrived at Entebbe International Airport on the morning of June 22, 2026, aboard a Kenya Airways flight. She was traveling alongside Charles Kanjama, the President of the Law Society of Kenya. While Kanjama was permitted entry into Uganda, Ugandan authorities denied entry to Karua and detained her at the airport.
According to on-ground teams and her senior staff, Karua has been rendered completely unreachable. Her mobile phones have been switched off, and her team is currently awaiting direct communication regarding her status and expected return to Nairobi, which had been scheduled for later that day.
The high-profile Kenyan politician travelled to Uganda in her capacity as lead counsel in the ongoing treason case against prominent Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale. She was scheduled to attend a bail application ruling for Erias Lukwago, the immediate former Lord Mayor of Kampala.
Karua has been actively involved in Dr. Besigye’s case since November 16, 2024, when the opposition leader was abducted in Nairobi during Karua’s book launch. She manages his legal defense under a valid Ugandan legal practicing certificate registered through Lukwago’s law firm.
Mr. Lukwago, who serves alongside Karua as co-lead counsel for Dr. Besigye, was arrested on June 15, 2026, during an early morning raid at his residence by the Ugandan Special Forces Command. After a period of incommunicado detention, Lukwago was charged with misprision of treason—the crime of concealing knowledge of a treasonous plot—linked to the charges facing Dr. Besigye. Initial public confirmation of Lukwago’s arrest was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
About Martha Karua
Martha Wangari Karua is a distinguished Kenyan legal professional and national leader. Her political and legal career includes:
Cabinet and Parliamentary Roles: Served as a Member of Parliament for Gichugu Constituency and as Kenya’s Minister for Justice, National Cohesion & Constitutional Affairs.
2022 Presidential Election: Ran as the presidential running mate to Raila Odinga under the Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition banner.
2027 Presidential Ambitions: She is currently eyeing the Kenyan presidency in the upcoming 2027 general elections under the People’s Liberation Party (PLP).
Professional Affiliations: Senior Counsel (SC) and member of both the Law Society of Kenya and the East Africa Law Society.
Her executive team has provided contact channels via cell (+254 706 275 076) and email (media@iammarthakarua.com) as they monitor the unfolding situation in Entebbe.
