Kampala — The Luzira Grade One Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe, allowing her release pending trial on charges of promoting sectarianism.
In a ruling delivered on Wednesday, Grade One Magistrate Gloria Apio allowed the 73-year-old politician’s bail application after considering submissions from both the prosecution and the defence.
The court heard arguments over whether Ms Matembe had fulfilled the legal requirements for bail, with the prosecution opposing her release.
State prosecutors argued that the accused had not sufficiently proved her identity, saying she had failed to present a national identity card or passport. They also questioned whether she had a fixed place of residence, alleging that she had gone into hiding before her arrest, and raised concerns that she could fail to return to court.
The prosecution further challenged the medical grounds advanced by the defence and objected to some of the proposed sureties.
However, Ms Matembe’s lawyers argued that she was a well-known public figure with a permanent residence and strong community ties, making her unlikely to abscond.
The defence also cited her age and health, submitting that she required access to medical care while awaiting trial.
In support of the application, the defence presented four sureties, including Amuru District Woman MP Lucy Akello, Rushenyi County MP Naome Kabasharira, advocate Prima Kwagala and policy analyst Godber Tumushabe.
Ms Matembe was earlier charged with promoting sectarianism contrary to Section 38(1)(d) of the Penal Code Act.
The prosecution alleges that during a television interview in June, she made remarks that were likely to promote hostility, hatred or ill will against members of the Banyankole ethnic community.
She denied the charge when she first appeared before court.
Ms Matembe’s arrest followed a security operation at her residence in Luzira after which family members reported that she had gone into hiding before she was later apprehended.
A former minister and member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted Uganda’s 1995 Constitution, Ms Matembe has in recent years been an outspoken commentator on governance, constitutionalism and human rights.
She will remain on bail as criminal proceedings against her continue.
Under Ugandan law, a person charged with a criminal offence is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.