Exiled activist and scholar Stella Nyanzi has strongly condemned the recent raid on the home of former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe, describing the operation as an act of intimidation against a government critic.
Security operatives reportedly stormed Matembe’s residence in Luzira, Kampala, at around 10:00am, forcing entry into the premises in her absence.
According to Matembe, the officers found only a caretaker, conducted a search for several hours, and left with electronic gadgets and other items.
Authorities have not issued an official explanation regarding the raid.
Reacting to the development, Nyanzi questioned the justification of targeting an elderly political figure, suggesting the move was intended to silence dissenting voices.
“Raiding the home of an elderly lady, no matter how loud she may be, is uncouth,” Nyanzi said.
“In all earnestness, is this brutish intimidation intended to silence Dr Miria Matembe? Uganda’s corrupt military dictatorship is shameless!”
Her remarks add to growing public debate surrounding the timing of the operation, which comes just days after Matembe publicly criticized Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Matembe had described some of his recent statements as inappropriate amid rising concern over alleged abductions and enforced disappearances.
Matembe, a veteran politician and former Member of Parliament, has in recent years positioned herself as a vocal critic of the government.
She has consistently spoken out on governance, corruption, and human rights issues, often drawing attention from both supporters and critics.
The raid has also attracted attention from civil society groups, with some calling for transparency and accountability from security agencies. Concerns have been raised about the broader implications of such actions on political freedoms and the space for dissent in Uganda.