The Uganda Law Society has petitioned police and army legal authorities demanding that former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe be released or produced before court.
ULS says Matembe has reportedly been held beyond the legally required 48 hours.
The petition was addressed to Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces head of legal affairs, Moses Wandera.
ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe said on Monday that authorities must disclose Matembe’s whereabouts and explain the allegations against her.
“The family of Mzee Matembe has petitioned the Uganda Law Society to give them all the legal support. Mzee Matembe has been unable to obtain any information regarding his wife. He went to the police, and he was not given any report,” Mr Asiimwe said.
ULS Demands Court Appearance
Matembe reportedly went missing after security operatives raided her home last week.
Her family says efforts to establish where she is being held have not yielded answers.
Mr Asiimwe said ULS had written to the IGP, CID director Tom Magambo and UPDF legal affairs head Moses Wandera.
“We have written directly to IGP Byakagaba, CID Boss Magambo, and the head of legal affairs at UPDF, Moses Wandera, seeking full disclosure of the allegations, immediate production in court, and adherence to due process,” he said.
He said ULS wants Matembe released if authorities have no lawful reason to continue holding her.
“We are advocating for the release of Miria Matembe. If she is suspected of an offence, let her be produced to Court. You can’t deny personal liberty. We have written to the IGP, CID and UPDF,” he added.
Mr Asiimwe also cited the legal requirement that an arrested person should not be held beyond 48 hours without being brought before court.
“We are demanding that she be given a bond. The Police Act says that if someone is arrested, she should be produced in court not more than 48 hours,” he said.
Family Says It Has No Information
Matembe’s husband said he had not received any official communication about his wife’s whereabouts.
“No one has communicated to me; everyone has the same sentiment. I have no idea where my wife is,” he said.
He added: “I am glad I have not seen more arrests at home.”
He said he had handed over the matter to the Uganda Law Society after failing to obtain information from police.
The army reportedly confirmed Matembe’s arrest on Sunday, but her family and lawyers say they still need full disclosure on where she is being held and why.
No Official Response Yet
As of Monday evening, there was no official response from police or UPDF spokespersons to the petitions.
The Uganda Law Society says it will continue pursuing the matter through legal channels until Matembe is either formally charged in court or released.
The case has renewed debate over due process, detention timelines and access to legal representation for suspects held by security agencies.