Why the state fears Karua, Lukwago (opens original article in a new tab)

Erias Lukwago was abducted and charged with treason, while Martha Karua was deported from Uganda, as the state targeted members of Dr Kizza Besigye's legal team over their perceived influence and disruption in court.

• Erias Lukwago, a lawyer for Dr Kizza Besigye, was abducted by UPDF soldiers and charged with misprision of treason.
• Martha Karua, Besigye's Kenyan lawyer, was deported from Uganda after being declared persona non grata.
• The state reportedly pressured Besigye to remove Karua and Lukwago as his lawyers due to their perceived disruptive influence in court.
• Besigye refused to drop his lawyers, leading to actions against them including Lukwago's arrest and Karua's deportation.
• The court's decision to hear Besigye's human rights application involving military officers angered the state, prompting swift actions to expedite the case.