2/7/2026
The Luzira Grade One Magistrate’s Court has granted Dr Miria Matembe bail, rejecting the State’s argument that she had no fixed home and was safer in prison.
Former Ethics and Integrity minister Dr Miria Matembe has been granted bail by the Luzira Grade One Magistrate’s Court after spending a day on remand following her arrest over alleged sectarian remarks.
Matembe was freed on a non-cash bail of Shs 3million while her sureties were also bonded at a Shs 2million non-cash each.
Grade One Magistrate Sheilah Gloria Atim ruled on Wednesday that Matembe had met the legal requirements for bail, rejecting the State’s argument that she had no fixed place of residence and was safer in prison.
In delivering the ruling, Atim said the court has discretion to grant bail after considering several factors, including the nature of the offence, the possible punishment, the accused’s place of residence and the likelihood of interfering with witnesses.
The applicant has no previous convictions and has committed to appear in court as required. No much dispute has arisen from the prosecution about this,” she said.
The magistrate also dismissed the prosecution’s claim that Matembe lacked a fixed place of abode because she fled her home after security operatives raided it.
Her home is located in Luzira in Kampala; and while there was an objection from the State that she admitted being in hiding, counsel for the applicant disputed these claims and stressed the applicant’s commitment to occupy her home. I therefore find no reason to doubt that the accused person has a fixed place of abode. She cannot be denied bail on that ground,” Atim ruled.
She further found no evidence that Matembe was likely to interfere with prosecution witnesses.
Whether she is likely to interfere with the state witnesses, this is also unlikely owing to the good previous conduct and respectable nature of the accused. If such grounds existed, it should have been stated with evidence by the State,” she said.
Atim also praised the four sureties presented by the defence, saying they were substantial and capable of ensuring Matembe returns to court.
I was reassured by the high calibre of the four sureties, who are found to be substantial. They have fixed places of abode and are traceable by the high offices they occupy, and some are lawyers who understand their role,” she ruled.
The magistrate, however, warned Matembe against making statements similar to those that led to the charges.
When bail is granted, the accused will be guided to avoid utterances similar to those complained of in the charge and to avoid commission of other offences during the period when she is on bail,” Atim said.
