KAMPALA, Uganda – The Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, on Thursday visited the home of former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe in Luzira to offer prayers following her release from detention.
According to the Church of Uganda, Archbishop Kaziimba paid a courtesy prayer visit to Matembe and her husband, Nehemiah, after she was granted bail by the Luzira Grade One Magistrate’s Court on charges of promoting sectarianism. The court released the 73-year-old politician on a non-cash bail after finding that she had satisfied the legal requirements for temporary release pending trial.
The visit came days after leaders of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda held meetings with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House, Entebbe, to discuss a range of national issues, including growing public concern over alleged human rights violations and the continued detention of political prisoners.
In a statement shared by the Church of Uganda, Archbishop Kaziimba said the religious leaders had raised the concerns directly with the President and would continue engaging him through dialogue.
“Earlier today, the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu, paid a courtesy prayer visit to the home of Mr. Nehemiah and Hon. Miria Matembe in Luzira following her release from detention,” the Church said.
The Church added that the prayer visit followed two recent engagements between leaders of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and President Museveni at State House.
“According to Archbishop Kaziimba, the religious leaders will continue engaging in dialogue with the President to promote respect for human rights, the rule of law, and greater freedom for all Ugandans,” the statement said.
Matembe was arrested and charged with promoting sectarianism over remarks she allegedly made during a television programme. Prosecutors contend that the statements were likely to promote hostility against members of the Banyankole community. She denied the charge before being remanded to prison and was subsequently released on bail.
Her case has attracted widespread public attention, with religious leaders, civil society actors and political figures calling for adherence to constitutional rights and due process as the judicial proceedings continue.