By Peter Luzinda
KAMPALA
Veteran politician and former Ethics and Integrity Minister Dr. Miria Matembe has been remanded to Luzira Prison after being charged with sectarianism over remarks allegedly targeting the Banyankole ethnic group.
Matembe, 73, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Sheilla Gloria Atim at the Luzira Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 30th June, 2026 as prosecutors laid out accusations linked to comments she allegedly made during a televised political programme on DK TV Uganda.
The state contends that Matembe made statements likely to “promote hostility, hatred and ill will” against members of the Banyankole community, contrary to Uganda’s Penal Code provisions on sectarianism.
Investigators told court that the remarks, which later circulated widely on social media platforms, raised concern because of their potential to inflame ethnic tensions in the country.
Court heard that the former minister allegedly questioned what she described as the growing influence of Banyankole individuals within government and public institutions, comments prosecutors say crossed the legal boundary into sectarian speech.
Matembe denied the charges when they were read to her.
The former minister arrived at court accompanied by lawyers, political supporters and activists, drawing heavy public attention to the proceedings. Her legal defense was led by Uganda Law Society Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, assisted by lawyers Samuel Muyizi and Steven Kalali.
Defense lawyers asked court to grant Matembe bail, arguing that she is an elderly woman with known medical complications and a fixed place of residence who could not abscond from trial.
However, Magistrate Atim ruled that the court had not yet received sufficient medical evidence to justify an immediate release on health grounds.
“There is no medical document before court proving the accused person is sick,” the magistrate said before ordering that Matembe be remanded to Luzira Prison pending further hearing of her bail application on Wednesday (today).
Outside the courtroom, supporters of the former minister criticised the prosecution, with some describing the case as an attack on freedom of expression and political criticism.
Others defended the legal action, saying tribal remarks from influential leaders risk fueling division in a country with a long history of ethnic sensitivities.
Dr. Matembe served in President Yoweri Museveni’s government during the early years of the National Resistance Movement and was once regarded as one of the administration’s most outspoken reform advocates.
In later years, however, she emerged as a fierce critic of the government, regularly speaking against corruption, abuse of power and what she describes as declining democratic governance.
Her remand to Luzira comes amid heightened political debate over free speech, dissent and the application of Uganda’s laws on hate speech and sectarianism.
