A diplomatic rift between East African neighbours widened on Wednesday after Ugandan authorities barred Kenya’s former justice minister, Martha Karua, from crossing into the country at the Busia border post. The incident, described by observers as a significant escalation, comes amid rising tensions over internal security operations and cross-border political activities.
Karua, who served as Kenya’s Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs from 2007 to 2008, was travelling to Kampala to attend a regional human rights conference. Ugandan immigration officials refused her entry without providing a formal explanation, according to a statement from her office. The move has drawn sharp criticism from Nairobi, where officials have demanded an immediate clarification.
“This is an unprecedented act of hostility,” said a senior Kenyan foreign ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity. “We are engaging with our Ugandan counterparts to seek a resolution, but the barring of a former cabinet minister without cause violates the principles of the East African Community.”
The exclusion follows a series of diplomatic spats between the two countries. In recent months, Uganda has accused Kenya of harbouring members of the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group designated as a terrorist organisation by Kampala. Kenya has denied the allegations, while also expressing concern over what it describes as Uganda’s heavy-handed approach to cross-border security.
Karua, a prominent opposition figure in Kenya, has been outspoken on issues of governance and regional integration. Her supporters argue that the ban is politically motivated, intended to silence critical voices ahead of Uganda’s upcoming general elections. “This is a clear attempt to intimidate those who stand for democracy and the rule of law,” said a spokesperson for Karua.
The incident has reignited fears of a broader deterioration in relations between the two countries, which are among the largest economies in the East African Community. Analysts warn that such actions could undermine trade and cooperation in a region already grappling with instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
The Ugandan government has not yet issued a formal statement. However, a source close to the presidency indicated that the decision was made on security grounds, citing intelligence suggesting that Karua’s visit was linked to efforts to destabilise the country. The source declined to provide further details.
Karua remains at the border town of Busia, where she is reported to be consulting with legal advisors. She has vowed to challenge the denial through diplomatic and legal channels. “I will not be deterred from pursuing justice and the peaceful resolution of conflicts,” she told reporters in a brief address.
The East African Community, which has a protocol guaranteeing free movement of persons, has been urged to intervene. The bloc’s secretariat in Arusha has indicated it is monitoring the situation but has not yet issued a statement.
This development marks a low point in Kenya-Uganda relations since the election of President William Ruto in 2022. Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, had previously appeared to mend ties following a period of friction under the previous Kenyan administration. Now, with the general election season approaching in both countries, the region faces the prospect of further political turbulence.
For now, the border remains open to other travellers, but the message sent by Karua’s exclusion is unmistakable. In a region where diplomatic wrangling increasingly spills into open hostility, the consequences of this latest act could be far reaching.
