The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has threatened to suspend all Ugandan lawyers operating in Kenya, following the Uganda Law Council’s decision to deny Martha Karua, a senior Kenyan lawyer, a temporary practicing licence.
Ms Karua was appointed lead counsel for Dr Kizza Besigye and Mr Obeid Lutale, who were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16. The duo was arraigned before the General Court Martial on November 20, charged with unlawful possession of firearms.
The LSK president, Faith Odhiambo, condemned the Uganda Law Council’s decision, stating it was “derogatory, contemptuous, and high-handed”. Ms Odhiambo threatened to take drastic measures, including suspending the admission of Ugandan lawyers to practice in Kenya.
“We express our unqualified disenchantment with the decision taken by the law council of Uganda… It is inconceivable that the law council of Uganda would hold such little regard for Kenyan practitioners,” Ms Odhiambo said.
The Uganda Law Council denied Ms Karua’s application, citing various reasons, including her lack of notarised copies of her current practicing certificate and letter of good standing from the LSK.
Isaac Ssemakadde, the president of the Uganda Law Society, condemned the decision, stating it undermined the independence of the legal profession. Mr Ssemakadde urged Ms Karua to reapply for the licence through his office.
The East Africa Law Society (EALS) president, Ramadhan M Abubakar, also condemned the decision, stating it undermined regional integration and the right to fair trial.
The dispute has sparked concerns about the independence of the legal profession and the right to fair trial in the region.
