Former Minister for Ethics and Integrity Miria Matembe has said she has forgiven President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, saying she continues to pray for them despite what she describes as the mistreatment she recently endured.
In a video clip shared on Sunday by the Vice President of Law Society of Uganda Anthony Asiimwe on Sunday, Matembe said she had chosen forgiveness, drawing inspiration from the Bible.
“Despite everything that has happened, I continue to pray for my brother and for his son. I forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. May God touch their hearts, guide them in truth and justice, and grant us all peace and reconciliation,” Matembe said.
The 73-year-old former minister alleged that President Museveni mocked and laughed at her during his national address on Saturday after, according to her, she had been arrested, humiliated and mistreated following actions involving Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
She said that as she reflected on the events and prayed for peace of heart, she was reminded of the biblical story of Cain and Abel.
Matembe said the story prompted her to reflect on the responsibility people have toward one another and urged the President to draw lessons from God’s judgment of Cain by embracing humility, truth and justice.
During his address to the nation on Saturday, President Museveni defended the actions of security agencies and called for accountability from all parties.
Referring to ongoing court cases, he questioned the conduct of some opposition figures, including former Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye, and commented on Matembe’s appearance in court, saying those seeking the truth should allow judicial processes to take their course.
The President also reiterated his opposition to impunity, including within the security forces, citing the 2021 death of a man known as “Zebra” in Kawempe. He said his government had sought reconciliation with the deceased’s family and argued that accountability should apply equally to political actors and security personnel in order to preserve peace and the rule of law.
Matembe was last month remanded to Luzira Prison by the Luzira Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of promoting sectarianism before being granted bail on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Law Society has strongly condemned President Museveni’s comments on the pending trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his proposal to abolish bail.
In a statement signed by its president, Isaac K. Ssemakadde, the society argued that the President’s remarks amounted to interference with ongoing judicial proceedings and undermined the constitutional right to a fair trial.
Ssemakadde also opposed any move to abolish bail, arguing that it would violate constitutional guarantees of personal liberty and the presumption of innocence, as well as international legal standards protecting judicial independence and limiting the use of pre-trial detention.
Ssemakadde called on President Museveni to refrain from commenting on active court cases, urged the Judiciary to publicly defend its independence, and appealed to the government to focus on addressing challenges within the justice system, including judicial inefficiency, corruption, witness protection and alleged political interference.
