Security agencies on Sunday detained prominent lawyers and civil society leaders Sarah Bireete and Eunice Musiime before releasing them several hours later after questioning.

The two were taken from Musiime’s residence in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, during a security operation that witnesses said involved a search of the property.

According to people close to the two lawyers, security operatives entered the residence, conducted a search, and escorted both women away for questioning. Their arrest was later confirmed by Benjamin Katana, who criticized the operation, arguing that the officers failed to follow proper legal procedures.

Katana said he was in communication with one of the lawyers shortly before the arrest and later received confirmation from family members that they had been taken into custody.

Sources familiar with the matter said the operation was linked to an ongoing search for former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe, whose home in Luzira had also been searched by security personnel in recent days.

Family members of Matembe said armed officers raided her residence after she had left for her routine morning exercise. They claimed the officers did not explain the purpose of the operation before searching the premises. Her husband, Nehemiah Matembe, said the family had been unable to reach her following the raid.

The security operations come amid heightened public tensions following recent exchanges between Matembe and the Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Days before Sunday’s detention, Bireete alleged that security personnel had searched her own home, saying a group of soldiers entered the property, conducted an extensive search, and confiscated money and other items. She claimed the officers indicated they were searching for Matembe and several other individuals they believed could be at the residence.

Following the incident, Bireete appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to address what she described as increasing anxiety over security operations targeting civilians.

Bireete has previously reported being placed under security restrictions at her residence on several occasions.

The two lawyers were released later on Sunday after being questioned about Matembe’s whereabouts.

Sources indicated that the decision to free them came after security agencies reportedly established Matembe’s location. Neither the security agencies nor the government had issued an official statement explaining the arrests or the circumstances surrounding their release by the time of publication.