Former Ethics Minister and human rights activist Miriam Matembe yesterday narrowly survived what her family believes could have been a planned arrest or abduction after security operatives reportedly stormed her Luzira home and searched parts of her residence.
According to her husband, Mr Nkemia Matembe, who looked terrified, a group of security personnel arrived at their home on Wednesday morning while Ms Matembe was away.
He said two women clad in civilian clothes entered the house while two armed men in military uniform and another heavily built man in plain clothes remained outside.
‘I was seated having tea, when I saw two plain-clothed women enter the compound. They walked past me through the corridor and headed toward the bedroom area,’ Mr Matembe said.
He added that the women did not respond when he inquired about what they wanted.
‘On looking outside, I saw two soldiers in uniform wearing masks. There was also a tall, heavily built man in civilian clothes standing on the balcony. While the men said they did not want anything, the women remained near the bedrooms,’ he said.
Shortly after learning about the incident, the Monitor contacted Ms Matembe, who confirmed that she was not home when the operatives arrived.
‘I was called and told to watch my steps because of this incident. My life is in danger, and I don’t know what to do at this time,’ she said.
The incident comes amid growing concern over the detention of Opposition politicians and government critics. Asked whether the women knocked before entering the house, Mr Matembe said they did not.
‘The doors were open. One entered through the kitchen side and another came through the main entrance and walked down the corridor. One of them entered the master bedroom. I followed her with my eyes and again asked what she wanted, but she did not answer. She went into the bedroom, looked around and inspected the area near the bed. I did not enter the room with her. After some time, she came out,’ he said.
Mr Matembe said the women later joined the man outside and walked around the house through the kitchen area before returning to their vehicle and leaving.
By press time, Ms Matembe’s whereabouts had not been publicly disclosed. However, highly placed sources told Monitor that security operatives were still searching for her.
‘She is currently in hiding and the military is moving from one place to another searching for her. We don’t know if they will find her or not, but she is a wanted person,’ a source said.
Repeated calls to Col Chris Magezi, the Acting Director of Defence Public Information, went unanswered. Text messages sent to his known telephone number had not been responded to by press time.
Mr Matembe described the incident as traumatic as the manner in which the operatives entered the compound raised concerns.
Possible cause of raid
The reported search of Ms Matembe’s home also comes days after she publicly criticised the manner in which former Kampala mayor Mr Eriasa Lukwago was picked from his home and detained, urging authorities to treat Ugandans with dignity.
Mr Lukwago, the lawyer representing Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, and his aide Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, was held for two days before being transferred to Kira Division Police Station and later produced in court, where he was remanded.