A high-stakes legal confrontation unfolded on Wednesday afternoon inside Luzira Magistrates Court as state prosecutors mounted a forceful objection to the bail application of 73-year-old former Ethics and Integrity Minister Dr Miria Matembe, while defence lawyers pushed back, insisting she should be released on health and constitutional grounds.
The proceedings before Grade One Magistrate Sheilah Gloria Atim resumed in the afternoon after an earlier adjournment, with Senior State Attorney Mariam Kulusum leading the prosecution’s objections against Matembe’s release from custody.
The state argued that Matembe poses a flight risk, questioned the credibility of her sureties, and contended that her advanced age does not automatically entitle her to a non-custodial sentence.
Prosecutors also referenced earlier defence submissions regarding alleged security incidents at Matembe’s home, arguing that claims she may have fled her residence undermine her reliability as a candidate for bail.
In a striking submission, the prosecution argued that if Matembe had left her home out of fear, then she effectively no longer had a fixed place of residence, adding that “where she is now [in prison] is even better,” according to arguments presented in court.
The state further challenged the credibility of key sureties, including Amuru Woman MP Lucy Akello, Rushenyi County MP Naome Kabasharira, High Court advocate Prima Kwagala, and Makerere University law lecturer Godber Tumushabe.
Prosecutors alleged that some of the contact details submitted for sureties were registered under different names, which they argued raised questions about their reliability and ability to ensure Matembe’s return to court.
Tension in court briefly escalated when one of the sureties, Godber Tumushabe, reportedly failed to return to the courtroom session after the adjournment, prompting the state to seek his disqualification from the bail application.
The prosecution also demanded that Matembe be required to physically confirm the residential addresses of her sureties, a move that drew murmurs of disapproval from members of the public and observers in court.
In a moment that briefly lightened the atmosphere, Matembe responded with humour, telling the magistrate that one of her sureties “stays at her home,” a remark that drew subdued reactions from the gallery.
Defence lawyer Anthony Asiimwe strongly opposed the state’s objections, urging the court to focus on the constitutional thresholds for bail rather than procedural and technical disputes over surety documentation.
Asiimwe presented Matembe’s national identity card and passport to the court, arguing that she is properly documented and does not present a risk of absconding.
He further maintained that Matembe is a well-known public figure with strong community ties, a clean record of public service, and no history of evading court proceedings.
The defence also reiterated earlier submissions that Matembe is 73 years old, visibly frail, and suffering from health challenges that require urgent medical attention.
Asiimwe urged the court to exercise its discretion in favour of a non-custodial outcome, arguing that continued detention would be disproportionate given the nature of the charges and the circumstances of the accused.
The magistrate is expected to rule on the bail application after considering both prosecution objections and defence submissions.
Security remained deployed around the courthouse as proceedings continued under heightened public and legal scrutiny.
The case has drawn significant attention from activists, political figures, and civil society groups, with many closely watching how the court balances constitutional rights, public interest, and prosecutorial concerns in determining Matembe’s fate.
