Veteran politician and constitutional lawyer Miria Matembe has been released on bail after the Luzira Magistrates Court ruled that she satisfied the conditions for temporary freedom while awaiting trial.

In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, Magistrate Gloria Apio found that Matembe’s age, reported health condition and the constitutional principle that every accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty justified her release.

The decision followed lengthy submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, prompting the court to adjourn twice before delivering its ruling.

State prosecutors had urged the court to deny bail, arguing that the former minister failed to provide adequate proof of identity through a national identification card or passport.

They also claimed she lacked a confirmed place of residence after allegedly evading authorities and questioned whether the medical information presented sufficiently demonstrated ill health.

The prosecution further challenged the suitability of some of her proposed sureties and expressed concern that she could fail to return for trial.

Matembe’s legal team rejected those claims, describing her as a respected public figure with decades of service to Uganda and strong ties to the country.

They argued that she poses no flight risk and stressed that her age and physical condition made continued detention unnecessary.

To support her bail application, Matembe presented four prominent sureties: Lucy Akello, the Woman Member of Parliament for Amuru District; Naome Kabasharira, the Member of Parliament for Rushenyi County; High Court advocate Prima Kwagala; and lawyer and policy analyst Godber Tumushabe.

Matembe is facing charges of promoting sectarianism under Section 38(1)(d) of the Penal Code Act. Prosecutors allege that comments she made during a June interview on DK TV Uganda, in which she claimed that tax revenue was being spent on “Banyankole women ministers,” were capable of fostering hostility and ill will against members of the Banyankole ethnic community.

Her arrest came after several days of uncertainty surrounding her whereabouts following a security operation at her Luzira residence. Concerns raised by her family intensified after Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on social media indicating that she was in state custody.

With bail now granted, Matembe will remain out of custody as criminal proceedings against her continue in court.