The Law Society of Kenya has condemned Ugandan authorities for denying Martha Karua a licence to practice law in Uganda. 

This was after the Law Council of Uganda rejected Karua’s application for a licence to represent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in court. 

In a press statement dated December 10, 2024, LSK noted that the decision to reject Karua application was disrespectful. 

“We express our unqualified disenchantment with the derogatory, contemptuous, and high- handed decision taken by the Law Council of Uganda. 

“This decision not only offends the mutual cooperation that exists between the Kenyan and Ugandan bar, but the manner in which it was communicated and the reasons given thereof are ludicrous and distasteful,” read part of the LSK statement.

LSK further noted that it is inconceivable that the Law Council of Uganda would hold such little regard for Kenyan practitioners, no less, a reputable and long-standing member of the Senior Counsel Bar. 

According to LSK, Kenya has been a leader in encouraging and fostering regional cooperation in legal practice and has increasingly allowed the integration of counsel from neighboring countries into Kenyan practice. 

LSK president Faith Odhiambo explained that the Law Society of Kenya has been a frontline ally in easing cross-border practice restrictions within Kenya, and has served all non-Kenyan Advocates of the High Court of Kenya with equity and due respect. 

“However, this goodwill and good faith extended to the region has met no reciprocity or acknowledgement whatsoever. 

“As things stand, Kenyan lawyers continue to face unreasonable constraints in their efforts to practice in neighboring countries. 

“If the response by the Law Council of Uganda is anything to go by, the prevailing hard stance and lack of compromise to promote the Mutual Recognition Agreement between Kenya and Uganda is not only deliberate, it is also a matter the Council appears to pride over,” stated Faith Odhiambo. 

She also disclosed that LSK will be engaging the Attorney General immediately to bring the overdue impasse over cross-border practice to a conclusive end. 

“We must either find a symbiotic, reciprocal and formal engagement that promotes the interests of all parties, or preserve the dignity of the Kenyan legal practice by withdrawing from lopsided arrangements marred with non-committal and disingenuity,” she stated. 

Meanwhile, to further protect the integrity of legal practice in Kenya, LSK is considering, after necessary consultations, the suspension of admission of advocates from the Uganda Law Society until such a time as reciprocal arrangements are appreciated and implemented.