Kampala — Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe has been charged with promoting sectarianism before the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Luzira.
Ms Matembe appeared in court on Tuesday following her arrest after security personnel sought her in connection with alleged offences.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that during June 2026, while appearing on a programme aired on DK TV Uganda, Ms Matembe made statements that were likely to promote hostility, hatred or ill will against members of the Banyankole community.
The charge is brought under Section 38(1)(d) of the Penal Code Act.
Court documents allege that Ms Matembe stated that “all our taxes are being spent on the Banyankole women ministers,” remarks the prosecution contends amounted to promoting sectarianism.
The charge sheet, approved by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, identifies Ms Matembe as a resident of Luzira in Kampala.
National Unity Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, who attended the court session, said Ms Matembe appeared weak during the proceedings.
In a post on X, Mr Rubongoya said opposition leaders and supporters had attended court in solidarity with the former minister.
Ms Matembe’s appearance in court followed her arrest after security personnel conducted an operation at her residence in Luzira.
Her family had earlier reported that she had gone into hiding after the operation before she was later apprehended.
The arrest came days after a public exchange between Ms Matembe and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whom she had criticised over governance and other national issues.
Ms Matembe, a former member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, has in recent years remained active in public debates on governance, constitutionalism and human rights.
The case was expected to proceed in accordance with the criminal justice process.
Under Ugandan law, a person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.