Former Minister of Ethics and Integrity Miria Matembe has been charged with promoting sectarianism following her arrest over the weekend after reportedly spending five days in hiding.
Matembe, a former legislator and outspoken government critic, was earlier last week the subject of a joint security operation in which operatives allegedly raided her home at around 10am. She was, however, not found at the residence at the time, having reportedly left before the team arrived.
Sources say the operatives conducted a thorough search of the property, with parts of the house reportedly ransacked before they left with unspecified items. It remains unclear whether a warrant had been issued prior to the operation or what exactly was taken during the raid.
However, appearing before the Luzira Magistrate’s Court this evening, Matembe was formally charged with promoting sectarianism.
Prosecution alleges that in June 2026, in Nakawa Division, Kampala District, while appearing on DK TV Uganda, Matembe uttered statements suggesting that “all our taxes are being spent on Banyankole women ministers” — remarks prosecutors say were likely to promote hostility, hatred, or ill will against members of the Banyankole community.
