Former Ethics and Integrity minister Dr Miria Matembe has been granted bail by the Luzira Magistrate’s Court in a case where she faces charges of promoting sectarianism.
Grade One Magistrate Sheilah Gloria Atim ruled that Matembe had met the legal requirements for temporary release pending trial.
The court ordered Matembe to execute a non-cash bond of Shs3 million. Her sureties were each bonded at Shs3 million, also non-cash.
As part of the bail conditions, Matembe must avoid making statements that could amount to sectarianism. She must also appear before court whenever required until the matter is concluded.
Court Explains Bail Decision
In her ruling, Magistrate Atim said courts consider several factors when deciding bail applications. These include the nature of the offence, the accused person’s place of abode and the public interest.
However, she stressed that every accused person remains innocent until proven guilty.
Atim said the facts before court favoured Matembe’s release. She noted that the offence of promoting sectarianism carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.
The magistrate said that sentence was not so severe as to justify continued detention on that ground alone.
She also considered Matembe’s personal circumstances. The court noted that she has no previous criminal record, is a known public figure and, at 73, qualifies as a person of advanced age.
Atim cited a Supreme Court precedent that recognizes persons aged 50 years and above as falling within that category.
Prosecution Questions Residence and Sureties
The prosecution had opposed the bail application.
Senior State Attorney Miriam Kulusum argued that although promoting sectarianism is a bailable offence, bail remains discretionary.
The state said Matembe had not produced a National Identification Card to prove that she would remain within the court’s jurisdiction.
Prosecutors also argued that her claim of fleeing her home after an alleged security raid showed she no longer had a reliable place of abode.
But Atim rejected that argument. She said court had no reason to doubt that Matembe has a known residence.
“The state can make sure that she does not abandon her home,” Atim ruled.
The prosecution also challenged some of Matembe’s sureties. It cited alleged discrepancies in telephone registration details and questioned whether some sureties could supervise her effectively.
One of the sureties questioned was Amuru District Woman MP Ruth Akello.
The court, however, found the sureties substantial and reliable. Atim relied on principles from a previous High Court decision by the late Justice Wilson Masalu Musene in a case involving opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye.
She said the sureties hold known public offices and have identifiable workplaces.
Court Rejects Political Lens
Before delivering her final decision, Atim addressed claims that the prosecution was politically motivated.
She said it was wrong for supporters of accused persons to malign judicial officers. She also said it was wrong to oppose the release of accused persons who are legally entitled to bail.
“I am a simple human being entitled to give justice to all people of Uganda. I owe allegiance to Uganda. I am a judicial officer, a Catholic by religion and fortified. God help me in the decision I am about to deliver,” Atim said before reading her ruling.
Atim appeared emotional while delivering the decision.
Defence Says Matembe Is Not a Flight Risk
Matembe’s lawyers, led by Uganda Law Society vice president Anthony Asiimwe and lawyer Steven Kalali, asked court to release her on bail.
They described her as a respected public figure, constitutional lawyer, advocate and former minister.
The defence said Matembe has no criminal record and is not a flight risk.
Her lawyers told court that she went into hiding after armed security personnel allegedly raided her Luzira home while looking for her.
They also argued that the prosecution had not presented evidence showing she would interfere with investigations or witnesses if released.
The prosecution had asked court, in the alternative, to order Matembe to surrender her passport if bail was granted. It also wanted her barred from making public statements capable of constituting similar offences.
Charge Linked to DK TV Interview
Matembe denied the charge when she first appeared before court on Tuesday.
According to the prosecution, the charge arises from remarks she allegedly made during a June 2026 interview on DK TV Uganda.
Prosecutors allege that Matembe said “all our taxes are being spent on the Banyankole women ministers.”
The state contends that the remarks were likely to promote hostility, hatred or ill will against members of the Banyankole ethnic group.
The court adjourned the case to August 19, 2026, to allow investigators more time to complete their inquiries.
After the ruling, Matembe’s supporters, including activists and National Unity Platform leaders, sang songs of praise in Luganda within the court precincts.
They welcomed the court’s decision and commended the magistrate.