KAMPALA,UGANDA – Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe has been granted bail by Luzira Magistrates Court, ending two days of intense legal arguments over whether the veteran politician should remain in custody while facing charges of promoting sectarianism.
In a ruling delivered this afternoon, Grade One Magistrate Sheilah Gloria Atim dismissed key prosecution objections and found that Matembe had satisfied the legal requirements for bail.
The magistrate held that the 73-year-old former minister, a key ally of President Museveni, is a well-established public figure with deep roots in Uganda and no intention of absconding from court proceedings.
She observed that Matembe is married, has a known place of residence, and found no basis to doubt that her Luzira home remains her fixed place of abode. This was despite prosecution claims that she had gone into hiding following an alleged security operation at her residence.
Addressing bail principles, the magistrate explained that although courts exercise discretion under Section 77 of the Magistrates Courts Act, the primary purpose of bail is to ensure an accused person attends trial without being subjected to unnecessary pre-trial detention.
The ruling came after state prosecutors argued that Matembe was a flight risk, questioned the credibility of her sureties, challenged her failure to immediately identify their residences, and contended that her age alone was not sufficient ground for release.
The prosecution also raised concerns over her alleged lack of a fixed place of residence and questioned the authenticity of contact details provided by some sureties.
However, the court found that the remaining sureties presented by the defence were substantial, credible, and capable of ensuring Matembe’s attendance whenever required.
