Former Kenyan Minister for Justice, Martha Karua is set to take over as head of the legal team representing veteran opposition politician, Dr Kizza Besigye in the ongoing case at the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala.
The development was confirmed Monday by Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago who said that the team, now comprising over 50 lawyers from Uganda and Kenya are set to represent the four-time presidential contender and his political associate, Hajj Obeid Lutale in the monumental case following their arrest in Nairobi 10 days ago. Besigye had been invited as a speaker at the launch of Ms Karua’s book, Against the Tide.
The duo were last week and charged and remanded over the illegal possession of firearms and rounds of ammunition.
“The decision we have taken is to assemble a very big team of lawyers from Kenya and Uganda. So far, 50 lawyers have committed to be with us on that day (December 2) and are ready to take on the State and provide any other legal services required in the case,” Mr Lukwago said, adding that the head of this team of lawyers is now Hon Martha Karua.
“From today onwards, she’s the head of the legal team. I am no longer the lead counsel in this matter,” the Lord Mayor reiterated.
Lukwago, who is also the interim president of the FDC Katonga faction explained that the team of lawyers from the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Pan-African Lawyers Union (PALU) and the East African Law Society will be attending court on 2nd December when the duo returns to court for their case mentioning.
“We’re still in close contact with the leadership of the Law Society of Kenya to interest them in the matter but they also seem to be confirming,” Lukwago noted.
