The President of the East African Law Society, Ramadhan M. Abubakar has issued a statement with regard to denial of a temporary practicing certificate to Martha Wangari Karua, a prominent Kenyan lawyer, to represent jailed retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and his colleague Haji Obeid Lutale.
In the statement, the East African apex law body has threatened to drag the Uganda Law Council to a regional court.
It read in part, “In compliance with the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community, the Common Market Protocol and all applicable, we will take necessary and decisive action, including instituting proceedings at the Regional Court if need be. This is not merely a statement of intent but a solemn obligation to defend the core principles that sustain our region and profession”.
General Court Martial Further Remands Dr. Besigye – To Spend Christmas at Luzira
Dr. Besigye and Haji Lutale were recently arrested in Kenya and ferried back to Uganda to answer charges associated with attempts to destabilize the National Resistance Movement government and being in illegal possession of arms and ammunition. They are currently under trial by the General Court Martial. The duo has today been remanded to Luzira Prison until January 7, 2025.
The lawyers are opposed to the manner in which the Ugandan security entered Kenya and flushed out the two from their hotel, and trying them in a military court given the fact that they are not serving army officials.
The statement dated December 10, 2024 also blamed the action by the Uganda Law Council for being an impediment to cross border legal practice in the East African Community.
Mukono Teacher Finds Treasure From Fuel, Money Saving Briquettes Business
It further avers that the December 6, decision by the ULC not only denies lawyer Martha Karua freedom to represent her clients Dr. Besigye and Haji Lutale, but also undermines the spirit of regional integration as provided for under the Treaty for establishment of the East African Community.
The statement further affirms the society’s firm and unyielding commitment to upholding justice, fairness and the rule of law across the EAC region, and that in their unshakeable solidarity with their sister bars the Uganda Law Society and the Law Society of Kenya, they are determined to see this matter through to the rightful and just conclusion, no matter the obstacles.
The EALS’ strongly worded statement noted that by law, member states are obliged to recognise academic and professional qualifications granted, experience obtained, requirements met and licenses or certificates granted in other EAC partner states.
“Martha Karua SC, a highly respected and licensed Kenyan lawyer, has met all the requirements including those specifically required for temporary admission to practice as an advocate in Uganda (see sec. 18 of the Advocates Act, Uganda).
Gravity, Lil Pazo in the Cold: Gov’t, Mengo Slams Performance Ban on Them Over Indecency Songs