Heavily armed joint security forces have raided the Kampala residence of veteran politician and former Ethics and Integrity Minister, Dr. Miria Matembe. The dramatic operation adds to a rapidly escalating state clampdown on prominent political dissidents and outspoken critics of the government.
Eyewitnesses reported that military personnel and plainclothes operatives cordoned off the approaches to Matembe’s home early Wednesday morning. Security teams restricted movement in the immediate vicinity before accessing the property to conduct a search.
As of press time, authorities have not issued an official statement detailing the exact motives behind the raid, or confirming whether the 72-year-old women’s rights advocate has been formally detained or if any materials were seized.
The raid comes squarely on the heels of Matembe’s blistering public criticism of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and the ruling establishment.
In a series of fiery media appearances over the last 48 hours, Matembe fiercely condemned the military-led arrests of opposition stalwarts, including the recent violent detention of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the ongoing treason trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye.
During an explosive televised interview, the pioneer constitution-maker did not mince her words. She heavily criticized Gen. Kainerugaba over his controversial social media remarks specifically mocking Lukwago’s arrest and “basement” detention and warned citizens against what she described as an orchestrated project to hand power from father to son.
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Political analysts and opposition figures view the early morning raid as a direct retaliatory measure meant to silence one of the country’s most fearless and enduring critics. Matembe, who broke ranks with President Yoweri Museveni in 2003 following the removal of presidential term limits, has consistently used her platform to denounce human rights abuses, corruption, and the militarization of Uganda’s civilian politics.
The operation at Matembe’s residence signals a widening dragnet by the state security apparatus. The political climate in Kampala remains highly volatile; just two days prior, Makindye Court further remanded Erias Lukwago amid heavy military deployment, while Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua was summarily deported from Entebbe Airport after attempting to join Lukwago’s legal defense team.
Civil society organizations and opposition leaders have begun mobilizing to condemn the raid, describing it as an overt intimidation tactic designed to instill fear among those speaking out against the current administration’s security crackdowns.
Police spokespersons could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the legal basis of the search warrant.
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