NARC Kenya party leader Martha Karua is set to lead the legal team representing Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in his ongoing case at the Makindye General Court Martial.
The announcement was made on Monday, November 25, during a press briefing in Kampala by Besigye’s lawyers, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Lukwago revealed that he met Karua on Sunday at her Nairobi residence to finalize arrangements.
“She will be flying to Uganda to take over as lead counsel in the case,” Lukwago stated.
Besigye, a former presidential candidate and prominent government critic, was arrested in Kenya in September 2022 under contentious circumstances. His detention sparked regional concerns about cross-border security and political cooperation.
FDC Interim Secretary General Harold Kaija, who also attended the Nairobi meeting, noted that Karua and Lukwago discussed strategies to address cross-border abductions.
“President Erias Lukwago and Martha Karua convened at her Nairobi residence to explore collaborative approaches to combating cross-border abductions, demonstrating their commitment to regional security,” Kaija wrote on X. He added that Lukwago received a copy of Karua’s book, which Besigye missed launching due to his arrest.
Besigye was in Nairobi for Karua’s book launch when he was allegedly abducted. A taxi driver reportedly last saw him entering an apartment at 108 Riverside Apartments on Saturday, November 16, 2022.
“The driver waited for him in the basement parking from about 4:30 p.m. to late evening until around 4:00 a.m. on Sunday when he gave up and left, having received no response to his several messages,” Karua recounted in a statement.
In September 2022, Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, admitted that the Kenyan government was aware of Besigye’s arrest and played a role in his transfer to Uganda.
“The government of Uganda was in touch with the government of Kenya, otherwise how would you arrest somebody in the middle of Nairobi and then bring him back to Uganda… without the full knowledge and support of the State?” Baryomunsi stated during an interview.
Karua’s involvement in the case is expected to bring renewed attention to Besigye’s legal battle and regional human rights concerns.
