Kenya’s renowned lawyer and former Justice Minister, Martha Karua, has arrived in Uganda just days after being deported from Tanzania, where she had traveled to attend a court hearing for opposition leader Tundu Lissu.
Karua’s arrival in Uganda comes shortly after a controversial statement by Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu, who remarked, “Frogs will not enter the house, climb the walls and go to the bedroom — that can only happen in Uganda.” The metaphor-laced comment was widely interpreted as a veiled jab at foreign interference, with critics viewing it as a response to Karua’s attempted attendance at a politically sensitive trial.
Now in Uganda, Karua was welcomed with open arms, signaling Uganda’s contrasting approach to regional diplomacy.
Her visit has stirred discussion across East Africa, with many viewing it as a bold response to regional tensions and a statement on freedom of movement and political expression.
Karua, a vocal advocate for democracy and human rights, has yet to issue a full statement, but sources close to her say she remains committed to advocating for democratic accountability across the region. Her next engagements in Uganda are expected to include meetings with civil society leaders and regional justice advocates.
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