Martha Karua Vows to Return to Uganda After Museveni’s Exit

Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua has been deported from Uganda after being detained at Entebbe International Airport.

Karua, who was traveling to Uganda for legal engagements, was denied entry upon arrival. She was held for over three hours, subjected to interrogation attempts, and had her mobile phones confiscated by immigration officials before being placed on a return flight to Kenya.

Speaking in an interview with NTV, Karua said she will return to Uganda after President Yoweri Museveni leaves power “I will visit again after Museveni. He is not president for life,” Karua declared, referring to Ugandan President, who has been in power since 1986.

She detailed how she was cleared through initial immigration checks but was later flagged by security officers who claimed there were “notes” advising against her entry. Despite repeated requests, she said officials refused to disclose the reasons for her detention or the basis for the deportation order. “I told them I will not cooperate. They have not told me why they are holding me. I know the Constitution and the laws of Uganda,” Karua said.

The politician also raised concerns over the seizure of her personal property, including two mobile phones, which she said were taken without legal justification. “I asked them, what gives you the right to take my property? What law are you using? Because if I’m being deported, you do not become entitled to my property,” she stated.

Karua refused to accept her phones upon their return, citing fears that data may have been compromised during the three-and-a-half hours they were in Ugandan custody. “I told them they are contaminated. I do not know what they have spread on my phone, which can be harmful to me. I left them with them, but I’ll be suing,” she stated.

Her passport was eventually handed over to the Kenya Airways manager, who facilitated her boarding and allowed her to contact family members.

Karua has confirmed she will pursue legal action against Ugandan authorities over the incident.