The Uganda Law Council has come under fire for denying a temporary practicing certificate to Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua.
Ms Karua, a former Kenyan Justice Minister, had applied for the certificate to represent her clients, Dr Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale, in a military court in Kampala.
“This decision is a blatant disregard of internationally recognized standards for engaging in cross-border litigation,” said Ramadhan M Abubakar, president of the East Africa Law Society (EALS).
The EALS has condemned the decision, calling it “arbitrary” and “discriminatory”.
“We strongly condemn the decision and urge the Uganda Law Council to reconsider it,” Abubakar added.
The Kenya Law Society (KLS) has also expressed its disappointment, threatening to suspend admission of Ugandan advocates due to the “unreasonable constraints” faced by Kenyan lawyers in Uganda.
“We can no longer accept the lack of reciprocity and the blatant disregard for the principles of mutual recognition and cooperation,” said Faith Odhiambo, president of the KLS.
Ms Karua has petitioned the Uganda Law Society (ULS) to challenge the decision, citing the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Standards for the Independence of the Legal Profession.
“I urge the Uganda Law Society to invoke the IBA Standards for the Independence of the Legal Profession and support my right to practice law in Uganda without discrimination as to origin or political opinion,” Ms Karua said in her petition.
The ULS president, Isaac Ssemakadde, has expressed his commitment to supporting Ms Karua’s right to practice law in Uganda.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that Ms Karua’s rights are protected and upheld,” Ssemakadde said.
The controversy has raised questions about regional integration and the freedom of movement of professionals within the East African Community.
