Former minister and businesswoman Miria Matembe has made an emotional appeal to court after her bail application was denied, asking for urgent medical attention as she awaits further proceedings in a sectarianism case.
Matembe, who has been held incommunicado for more than a week, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Sheila Gloria Atim at Luzira Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday evening.
The former Ethics and Integrity minister told the court that she was experiencing severe pain and needed immediate medical examination.
“I don’t want to fight. There is always anger, but we are all human beings. I know my medical condition, and my doctors and family know it too. They have been warning me. I cannot bear this pain any longer,” Matembe said.
She asked court to allow her to undergo a medical scan or be admitted to hospital, insisting that she was not attempting to evade justice.
“You cannot kill me tonight. I am not running away. I am a Ugandan citizen. Please have a human heart and allow me to go for a scan tonight or be taken to a hospital where I can receive treatment. We will pay for the scan ourselves,” she added.
Matembe further questioned why her visible condition was not being accepted as sufficient grounds for urgent medical intervention.
“You can see me in pain, yet you keep asking for evidence on paper. Let me go for the scan, and you will get the evidence you need,” she told court.
She concluded her appeal by calling for compassion from the judiciary.
“May God give you the grace to be merciful. The Word of God teaches us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. That is my humble plea,” she said.
In response, Magistrate Atim said the court was sympathetic to Matembe’s condition but stressed that decisions must be based on law and documented evidence.
“Looking at your age, I do not have any reason to deny you treatment. You should be able to receive medical care,” the magistrate said.
She added that the court required proper medical documentation before making a ruling on treatment.
“I have to make a decision based on the law and the facts before me. I cannot rely on feelings alone. I need documented evidence upon which I can base my decision,” she ruled.
The magistrate directed that medical documents be presented to court promptly and scheduled the matter for immediate follow-up.
“I pray that the required medical documentation is brought before the court tomorrow so that I can consider it,” she said.
Atim also rejected any suggestion of bias, saying the court was acting within legal limits.
“Please do not take it to heart that I am an instrument of oppression. I am simply trying to do my job within the confines of the law,” she said.
Matembe remains on remand as the case awaits further mention.
