The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and other senior security officials over the arrest and continued detention of veteran politician and human rights activist Miria Matembe, demanding that she be produced before a competent court without further delay.
Speaking to journalists at Matembe’s residence in Luzira on Monday, ULS Vice President Counsel Anthony Asiimwe said the family had entrusted the Society with handling all legal matters relating to her arrest and detention.
“The family of Mzee Matembe has petitioned the Uganda Law Society to provide them with legal support,” Asiimwe said. “Mzee Matembe has made several attempts to obtain information about his wife from the police, but he has not been given any official explanation.”
According to the family, Miria Matembe went missing on Thursday, June 25, 2026. It was not until Sunday that they received information indicating that she had been arrested and was being held in detention. However, her exact whereabouts and the offences she is alleged to have committed remain unknown.
Asiimwe said the ULS has written to the Inspector General of Police, Abbas Byakagaba, the Director of Criminal Investigations, Tom Magambo, and the UPDF’s Director of Legal Services, Brig. Gen. Moses Wandera, demanding full disclosure of the circumstances surrounding Matembe’s arrest, her immediate production before court, and strict observance of due process.
“We are advocating for the release of Miria Matembe,” Asiimwe said. “She disappeared on June 25, and by Sunday we had received information that she had been arrested and detained at an undisclosed location. If she is suspected of committing any offence, she should be produced before a court of law. No one should be deprived of personal liberty outside the law.”
He further emphasized that the law requires anyone arrested to be presented before court within 48 hours.
“We are demanding that she be granted police bond where applicable. The law is clear that a person arrested must be brought before a competent court within 48 hours,” he added.
Mzee Matembe, visibly concerned, told reporters that authorities had not communicated with him about his wife’s arrest or detention.
“No one has communicated with me. I still do not know where my wife is,” he said. “I am, however, grateful that there have been no further arrests at our home.”
He confirmed that after unsuccessfully seeking information from security agencies, he had handed over the matter to the Uganda Law Society.
The incident has raised concerns among legal practitioners and civil society organisations over respect for constitutional guarantees on personal liberty, due process, and the right to a fair and speedy hearing.
By Monday evening, neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had issued an official response to the petitions.
