KAMPALA.Security operatives on Wednesday morning descended on the residence of former Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Miria Matembe and conducted a search before confiscating several unidentified electronic gadgets.
Ms Matembe, a prominent veteran politician and fierce critic of President Museveni’s four decade rule , confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, stating she was away when the raid occurred.
“They arrived at my home at around 10:00 AM in my absence. The caretakers informed me that the operatives forced their way inside, ransacked the house, and left with several items,” Ms Matembe said. “I am still trying to establish what they were targeting, or if their intention was to abduct me.”
The motive behind the operation remains unclear, and police spokespersons were unavailable for immediate comment at the time of publication.
It also remains unknown whether the former minister had received a prior tip-off before leaving her home.
Matembe’s targeting comes amid heightened tensions regarding human rights in Uganda. A co-founder of the Center for Domestic Violence Prevention and a trailblazer for women’s rights, Matembe has recently been highly vocal against a wave of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and alleged state-sponsored abductions targeting opposition figures and activists.
Once a close ally of President Yoweri Museveni and a key architect of the 1995 Constitution, Matembe fell out with the ruling establishment in 2003 over opposition to the removal of the two presidential term limits.
Since then, she has remained a relentless voice for constitutionalism and civic space.She is also opposed to First Son and Commander of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s highhandedness ,insisting that the latter lack the charisma to lead the country despite his supporters pushing him to takeover when his father leaves .