A former Kenyan justice minister was detained at Entebbe International Airport yesterday and subsequently denied entry into Uganda, sources confirm. The incident, which occurred late Tuesday evening, has sparked a fresh diplomatic row between the two East African neighbours.
The former minister, who sources say was travelling on a diplomatic passport, was held for over six hours by Ugandan immigration officials before being escorted onto a return flight to Nairobi. No official reason was given for the denial of entry, but documents obtained by this newspaper suggest the Ugandan government had flagged the individual as 'persona non grata' hours before his arrival.
This is not the first time Nairobi and Kampala have clashed over travel restrictions. In 2023, a Kenyan opposition figure was similarly barred from entering Uganda, triggering a war of words between the two capitals. The latest incident, however, involves a former senior government official, raising questions about the state of bilateral relations.
A source within the Kenyan foreign ministry described the move as 'deeply regrettable' and said it would 'only serve to undermine trust' between the two nations. The source added that Kenya had demanded a formal explanation from Ugandan authorities, but none had been forthcoming at the time of writing.
'This is a violation of diplomatic protocols and a direct affront to the sovereignty of Kenya,' the source said. 'We expect a full apology and assurances that such actions will not be repeated.'
The Ugandan government, through a spokesperson, declined to comment on the specific incident but reiterated that all nations have the right to control their borders. 'Uganda reserves the right to determine who enters its territory,' the spokesperson said. 'We will not be pressured into explaining routine immigration decisions.'
But sources close to Ugandan intelligence suggest the decision was politically motivated. The former minister, who served under former President Uhuru Kenyatta, has been a vocal critic of Uganda's current administration. In recent months, he has publicly accused Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni of 'undermining democracy' in the region.
The blocked entry threatens to escalate tensions at a time when both countries are engaged in delicate negotiations over cross-border trade and security. Kenya and Uganda share a long history of economic and political interdependence, but relations have been strained in recent years over disputes ranging from milk imports to logging licences.
'I've seen this playbook before,' said a retired diplomat who served in Kampala. 'When one of them blocks a prominent figure, it's a signal. The question is: what message are they sending? And what's the endgame?'
The former minister landed back in Nairobi early this morning. He is expected to make a public statement later today. His lawyer said legal action was being considered.
'This is an outrage. My client was subjected to humiliation and harassment without cause,' the lawyer said. 'We will explore all avenues, including diplomatic and legal remedies.'
The incident has already drawn condemnation from Kenyan civil society groups, who have called on both governments to resolve the matter through dialogue. But given the history of such disputes, a swift resolution seems unlikely.
For now, the former minister remains in Nairobi, barred from setting foot in the country he was attempting to visit. And the diplomatic fallout is only beginning to unfold.
