By Patricia Nakayima

Political activist and Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe has been granted bail by the Luzira Grade One Magistrate’s Court after the court considered her advanced age and medical condition.

Grade One Magistrate Sheilla Gloria Atim released the 73-year-old on Wednesday following submissions by her lawyers that she is in poor health and requires specialised medical attention. She was ordered to return to court as her trial on charges of promoting sectarianism continues.

Matembe’s arrest followed days of uncertainty after security operatives raided her home in Luzira in an attempt to arrest her, but did not find her. The operation sparked speculation about her whereabouts before she later assured the public that she was safe. She was subsequently abducted and held in an anonymous place for two days. Matembe was later arraigned before the court on Tuesday, 28^th June 2026.

Matembe is accused of making sectarian statements over the media, specifically targeting Banyankore. Matembe denies these allegations.

During the bail hearing, the prosecution opposed her release, arguing that she had evaded arrest after the raid on her home. However, the defence maintained that Matembe has a known place of residence, is not a flight risk and requires urgent medical care due to her age and deteriorating health.

After considering the submissions from both sides, Magistrate Atim granted her bail, allowing the veteran politician to seek treatment as she awaits the hearing of her case later in August.

The case has attracted widespread public attention, largely due to the security raid on Matembe’s home, her temporary disappearance from the public eye and her subsequent arrest before being charged with promoting sectarianism.

The women movement in Uganda, confronted this injustice by mobilizing women to stand in solidarity with Matembe, a founding member of the movement, and a key contributor to the 1995 constitution which guarantees the rights of women in society.

At court, Matembe exhibited her power and leadership when she led women into singing songs of resistance, against the criminalizing dissent and freedom of expression.

Hashtags like #FreeMatembe, #IstandWithMatembe and #StopAbductingUgandans were used to demand justice.