Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe has applied for bail before the Luzira Chief Magistrate’s Court as she faces charges of promoting sectarianism.
The bail application was presented before Grade One Magistrate Sheilah Gloria Atim by the Vice President of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Anthony Asiimwe, who asked the court to release Matembe on non-cash bail pending the hearing of her case.
Asiimwe described the 73-year-old as a distinguished public servant and seasoned legal professional with a long record of service to Uganda.
He told the court that Matembe had served as Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Member of Parliament, delegate to the Constituent Assembly, member of the Constitutional Commission, founding member of the Pan-African Parliament, and a lifelong advocate for women’s rights, constitutionalism, and good governance.
He further submitted that Matembe, who was enrolled as an advocate in 1979 and holds a Doctor of Laws degree, played a significant role in the drafting of Uganda’s Constitution.
According to the defence, Matembe is seeking release on her own recognisance, arguing that she does not wish to subject her family members, friends, and associates to continued harassment by requiring them to stand surety for her.
Through her lawyer, Steven Kalali, the defence also informed the court that armed men allegedly raided Matembe’s residence in Portbell Lake Drive Zone, Luzira Parish, Nakawa Division, on June 23, 2026.
Despite seeking release on personal recognisance, the defence presented four prominent sureties to support the application.
They included Amuru District Woman Member of Parliament Ruth Akello, Rushenyi County Member of Parliament Naome Kabasharira, lawyer Prima Kwagala, and Godber Tumushabe, Executive Director of GLISS and Assistant Lecturer at the Makerere University School of Law.
The prosecution asked the court for one hour to prepare its response to the bail application before submissions could proceed.
By press time, the court had not yet delivered its ruling on whether Matembe would be granted bail.
By Edith Namwanje
1st July 2026
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