Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe has accused President Yoweri Museveni of mocking her recent arrest and detention, saying he chose to ridicule her ordeal instead of condemning what she described as her mistreatment by security agencies.
Matembe was responding to Museveni’s national address on Saturday evening, during which the President defended recent security operations and referred to her appearance in court following her arrest during protests in Kampala.
She says the President’s remarks reminded her of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, arguing that instead of protecting citizens from abuse by state agencies, he had distanced himself from responsibility for what happened to her.
Despite her criticism, Matembe says she had chosen to forgive both the President and his son.
Matembe was arrested on June 30 during a protest march to the Supreme Court organised by opposition supporters demanding the release of opposition politician Kizza Besigye and other political detainees.
She was later charged before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court with common nuisance, alongside several activists, before being released on bail.
Her court appearance attracted public attention after she appeared to be walking with difficulty, prompting opposition supporters and rights activists to allege that she had been mistreated while in custody.
It was that appearance that Museveni referred to in his address.
The President made the remarks while defending the conduct of security agencies, arguing that their recent actions should not be interpreted as a return to the human rights abuses associated with previous governments.
By URN
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