A former Kenyan justice minister has been denied entry to Uganda, prompting calls for intervention from the British Commonwealth. The incident, which occurred at Entebbe International Airport on Tuesday, has raised concerns about regional tensions and the erosion of diplomatic norms in East Africa.
Martha Karua, who served as Kenya's minister for justice and constitutional affairs from 2009 to 2011, was reportedly turned away by Ugandan immigration officials without explanation. Karua, a prominent opposition figure in Kenya, had been scheduled to attend a legal conference in Kampala. Her lawyer confirmed that she was held at the airport for several hours before being put on a return flight to Nairobi.
“This is a grave violation of the East African Community protocols on free movement,” said John Mwangi, a political analyst at the University of Nairobi. “To bar a former minister without due process suggests a serious breakdown in bilateral relations.”
The Kenyan government has expressed dismay, with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alfred Mutua calling for an urgent explanation from Kampala. Uganda's interior ministry has remained silent, but sources suggest the move may be linked to Karua's past criticism of President Yoweri Museveni's government.
Human rights groups have condemned the action. “Denying entry to a distinguished legal figure sends a chilling message to civil society,” said Agnes Okoth of Amnesty International Kenya. “We urge the Commonwealth to step in and ensure regional treaties are respected.”
The British Commonwealth, of which both Kenya and Uganda are members, has been asked to mediate. A spokesperson said the organisation is “monitoring the situation closely” but declined to comment further.
For ordinary citizens, the incident highlights the fragility of regional integration. “If a former minister can be barred, what hope for traders or travellers?” asked Grace Odhiambo, a cross-border trader from Busia. “Our economies are tied together, but politics keeps putting up walls.”
The episode comes amid rising tensions between Nairobi and Kampala over trade disputes and security operations. In February, Uganda accused Kenya of harbouring dissidents, a charge Nairobi denied.
Karua, known for her fiery oratory, has not yet made a public statement. But her supporters see this as part of a broader crackdown on dissenting voices in the region. “This is not just about Martha Karua,” said opposition leader Raila Odinga. “It is about the right to free assembly and movement in Africa.”
As the Commonwealth weighs its response, the incident serves as a reminder that the dream of a borderless East Africa remains elusive. For now, the barring of one woman has become a test of the region's commitment to the rule of law.
