NARC Kenya party leader and Senior Counsel Martha Karua has expressed her dismay following the Uganda Law Council's decision to reject her application for a temporary practicing certificate.
In a detailed letter addressed to the Secretary of the Uganda Law Council, Navakooza K. Margaret, on Monday, December 9, Karua addressed the council’s concerns and questioned the procedural integrity of its decision-making process.
According to Karua, the rejection letter, dated December 6, 2024, cited several deficiencies in her application, including a lack of notarization for her practicing certificate, nationality documents, and academic qualifications.
However, responding to the claims, Karua stated noted that the cancel should have asked for the additional documents it needed.
"You state that copies of my practicing certificate, and letter of good standing from the Law Society of Kenya were not notarized, and father, that my nationality documents and academic qualifications were not attached to my application as well as Mr Lukwago's practicing certificate. Rather than use these as reasons to decline my application, one would expect that the law council would have asked for whatever additional documents that it desired," she stated.
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Additionally, Karua defended the role of her colleague, Erias Lukwago, asserting his credibility and professional qualifications.
"Mr. Lukwago is not only a well-known personality as the Lord Mayor of the City of Kampala but also a practicing advocate running a law firm,” she emphasized.
Karua addressed the council’s inquiry into whether she brought any special skill to the case in question, which involved representing opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
"On the issue of whether I bring any special skill, with the greatest respect to your goodselves, it is Dr. Besigye's constitutional right to appoint a lawyer of choice including a lead counsel of choice. Our request to you was to process the application before you, using your discretion under the Advocates Act of Uganda Judiciously, and in accordance with the constitution and the law of Uganda," she added.
Further, Karua denied allegations that she misrepresented her legal status during a court appearance for Besigye’s case on December 2, 2024, noting that her presence was part of a procedural adjournment.
“As a visiting jurist, I sat with Mr. Lukwago, who introduced me to the court and informed the court that I was waiting for the approval of my special license to practice law in Uganda for purposes of the case before them. It was on this basis that an adjournment was granted to the 10th of December. In the light of these facts, I take great exception to this unmerited accusation by yourselves which constitutes an attack on my character and integrity, and undermines they appearance of impartiality of the local council," she clarified.
In a broader critique, Karua accused the Uganda Law Council of making unfounded attacks on her integrity and professionalism.
“Your disparaging and personalized aspersions on my person and character, as well as the importation of extraneous matters, is regrettable and undermines the spirit of Jumuia,” she asserted.
In a press conference on November 25, 2024, Besigye's lawyers led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago announced that Karua would be taking over as the lead counsel in Besigye's case.
Lukwago, who met with Karua at her Nairobi home, said she would be flying to Uganda to take over the case which is being heard at Makindye General Court Martial.
