Former Ethics and Integrity Minister and veteran women’s rights activist Miria Matembe has finally been granted bail by the Luzira Grade One Magistrate’s Court after a tense day marked by repeated adjournments and heated legal arguments.
The court’s decision brings an end to hours of anxious waiting, with the bail ruling first scheduled for 2:00 p.m., then pushed to 4:30 p.m., before the magistrate eventually ruled in Matembe’s favour.
The 73-year-old politician had spent the previous night on remand at Luzira Prison after being charged with promoting sectarianism over remarks she allegedly made during a television interview in June.
Her release comes after supporters, lawyers, opposition politicians and civil society activists spent the day at court expressing solidarity with the former minister, who appeared frail and struggled to walk into the courtroom during the proceedings.
A dramatic day in court
Wednesday’s proceedings were characterised by multiple delays as Grade One Magistrate Sheillah Gloria Apio considered submissions from both the prosecution and defence.
Initially, the court deferred the ruling until 2:00 p.m. before adjourning once again to 4:30 p.m., prolonging uncertainty over whether Matembe would regain her freedom pending trial.
The defence team argued that Matembe qualified for bail because of her advanced age, deteriorating health, permanent place of residence and longstanding record of public service.
Lawyers also told court that the former minister suffers from severe back pain and requires medical attention.
Four prominent Ugandans stood surety for her, including Amuru District Woman MP Lucy Akello, Rushenyi County MP Naomi Kabasharira, governance advocate Godber Tumushabe and women’s rights activist Prima Kwagala.
State fiercely opposed release
State prosecutors mounted a strong challenge against the bail application.
They argued that Matembe had failed to prove she had a fixed place of residence after telling court she fled her home following a security operation. Prosecutors also contended that she had not presented sufficient identification documents and insisted that advanced age alone was not an automatic ground for bail.
In one of the prosecution’s most controversial submissions, state lawyers argued that Matembe was “safer” in prison because she had allegedly abandoned her residence after security personnel raided her home.
The prosecution further claimed there was concern she could continue making statements similar to those that led to her prosecution if released.
Charges stem from television remarks
Matembe was formally charged on Tuesday with promoting sectarianism contrary to Section 38(1)(d) of the Penal Code.
According to prosecutors, while appearing on DK TV Uganda in June, she allegedly stated that “all our taxes are being spent on the Banyankole women ministers.”
The State argues the remarks were likely to promote hostility, hatred or ill-will against members of the Banyankole ethnic group.
Matembe denied the accusations and entered a plea of not guilty.
She has consistently maintained that she committed no offence.
Arrest followed days of uncertainty
The charges came after several days of uncertainty surrounding Matembe’s whereabouts.
Security personnel had earlier raided her Luzira home in an attempt to arrest her, but she was not found there. Reports later indicated she had been arrested elsewhere in Kampala after spending several days away from her residence.
Her arrest generated significant public attention after Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba had earlier suggested on social media that she had been arrested over “impersonation,” only for prosecutors to later charge her with promoting sectarianism instead.
Veteran politician and constitutional figure
Matembe is one of Uganda’s most prominent female political figures.
She previously served as Minister of Ethics and Integrity, represented Mbarara District in Parliament and was a member of Uganda’s Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1995 Constitution.
In recent years, she has become an outspoken government critic, frequently commenting on governance, constitutionalism, corruption and human rights issues.
Trial still lies ahead
Although the court has granted her temporary freedom, Matembe’s legal battle is far from over.
She is expected to return to court on dates that will be fixed for further proceedings as prosecutors continue pursuing the sectarianism case against her.
The matter is likely to attract continued national attention, not only because of Matembe’s stature in Ugandan politics but also because it raises broader questions about freedom of expression, political speech and the application of Uganda’s laws on sectarianism.
For now, however, the veteran politician walks free after a day of courtroom suspense that saw supporters wait through successive adjournments before finally welcoming news that the court had granted her bail.
