Martha Karua has arrived in Uganda alongside Ngugi Lynn to attend the legal proceedings of Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale.

This comes days after Karua was barred from entering Tanzania on May 18, 2025, while she was travelling to attend the treason trial of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan denied Martha Karua entry into Tanzania on May 18, 2025, citing concerns over foreign interference in domestic affairs. Karua was traveling to observe the court proceedings of Tundu Lissu, a detained opposition leader facing treason charges.

Suluhu accused Karua and other Kenyan activists of attempting to destabilize Tanzania, stating that some foreign figures were meddling in the country’s political affairs. She emphasized that Tanzania would not allow external influences to interfere with its governance.

Karua, however, refuted these claims, arguing that she had entered Tanzania legally and was exercising her right to free movement within the East African Community (EAC).

She expressed concerns that her access within the EAC bloc was being restricted.

However, through a statement on her X account, Karua claimed their entry into Uganda was a smooth one, in line with the East African Community (EAC) integration principles.

Karua was allowed to represent Besigye at the High Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala, after initially facing obstacles in obtaining a provisional practising certificate from the Ugandan Bar Council.

Besigye is accused of plotting to overthrow the government of President Yoweri Museveni by force.

The charges involve secret meetings in various countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Uganda, where he allegedly sought military and financial support for regime change.

Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale and Denis Oola, have been in custody for more than 170 days, and their bail applications have been delayed due to changes in court staff.

Their trial is set to resume on May 21, 2025, at the Nakawa Resident Magistrate’s Court