Veteran politician and women’s rights activist Miria Matembe has been charged with promoting sectarianism over remarks she allegedly made during a television programme.
According to a charge sheet filed by the Uganda Police, the 73-year-old businesswoman and resident of Luzira in Nakawa Division, Kampala, is accused of violating Section 38(1)(d) of the Penal Code Act.
The charge stems from statements Matembe is alleged to have made in June 2026 during a programme aired on DK TV Uganda. Prosecutors claim that she stated that “all our taxes are being spent on the Banyankole women ministers.”
The prosecution alleges that the remarks were likely to promote hostility, hatred, or ill will against members of the Banyankole ethnic community, thereby constituting the offence of promoting sectarianism.
The charge was registered under Criminal Reference Book (CRB) 638/2026 at Jinja Road Police Station, with the case referenced as L02-CO-132/2026.
The charge sheet indicates that the prosecution consented to the charges, which were preferred by a police officer identified as Lino Anguzu.
By Tuesday, it was not immediately clear when Matembe would be arraigned before court to answer the charge. She had also not publicly commented on the allegations.
Promoting sectarianism is an offence under Ugandan law and relates to actions or statements that are considered likely to incite hostility, prejudice, or ill will against individuals or groups based on factors such as ethnicity, religion, tribe, or other protected identities.
Authorities have not released further details regarding the investigations or the specific broadcast from which the alleged remarks were made.
English 