Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe appeared in court on Monday and was charged with promoting sectarianism, days after her family reported her missing following a security operation at her home in Luzira.
Matembe, 73, a Ugandan lawyer, politician and veteran gender equality advocate, appeared frail before Grade One Magistrate Sheila Gloria Atim at Luzira Magistrate’s Court and denied the charge brought by the state.
According to the charge sheet, Matembe is accused of making statements on DK TV Uganda in June that were likely to promote hostility, hatred or ill-will against members of the Banyankole ethnic group.
Prosecutors allege that Matembe said: “all our taxes are being spent on the Banyankole women ministers,” remarks they say contravene Section 38(1)(d) of the Penal Code Act.
Matembe’s court appearance came days after Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba confirmed she had been arrested.
Matembe is a former cabinet minister, women’s rights advocate and one of the framers of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.
