Former Ethics and Integrity Minister Miria Matembe has expressed deep disappointment over her arrest and prosecution, saying she feels betrayed by a country she dedicated much of her life to serving.

Matembe said it was painful to find herself facing a court case titled “Uganda Vs Matembe” after spending decades fighting for justice, human rights, gender equality and constitutional reforms.

She questioned why a person who spent years defending the rights of Ugandans could end up being treated as an enemy by the same country she worked to build.

“Instead of ‘Uganda vs Matembe,’ shouldn’t this have been ‘Uganda honours Matembe?’” she asked.

Matembe said the moment she saw a lead vehicle waiting to take her to prison was especially painful because she believed her years of service deserved recognition rather than punishment.

She argued that after dedicating her life to public service, such a vehicle should have been taking her to serve in the highest offices of the country instead of leading her to prison.

The former minister made the remarks while reflecting on her arrest in June and the events that followed her appearance in court.

She thanked friends, colleagues, civil society groups, lawyers and members of the public who supported her and her family during what she described as a difficult period.

Matembe said she was encouraged by the number of people who appeared in court to show solidarity with her during the hearing.

She expressed gratitude to her legal team, supporters from the women’s movement, young people who composed songs for her and everyone who stood with her during the ordeal.

According to Matembe, security operatives raided her home in Luzira, Kampala, before her arrest, an experience she described as traumatic.

She said her husband, Nehemiah Matembe, who is 81 years old, was shocked by the incident and viewed the manner of the raid as something associated with past oppressive regimes.

Matembe said she was not at home when the alleged invasion happened and was forced to stay away from her residence for several days.

She said her decision to speak out was influenced by what she described as growing human rights concerns in the country.

Reflecting on her life, Matembe said she had witnessed Uganda’s history from the post-independence crises, the rule of Idi Amin, the insurgencies of the 1980s and decades of President Yoweri Museveni’s leadership.

She said much of her career in government and civil society was dedicated to fighting for women’s rights, equality and protection of vulnerable groups.

Matembe recalled her involvement in the Constitutional Commission, where she travelled across the country collecting views from Ugandans that later contributed to the 1995 Constitution.

She said she believed her work in government was aimed at helping fulfil the hopes of Ugandans who wanted freedom, justice and protection from abuse of power.

The former minister said she was shocked when she was charged with sectarianism, arguing that her record showed a commitment to fairness and equality.

She questioned how a nation that had once recognised her contribution internationally could instead prosecute her at home.

Matembe also criticised what she described as the mistreatment of senior citizens and opposition figures, calling on Ugandans to speak out against injustice.

She said her experiences had strengthened her determination to continue advocating for constitutionalism, human rights and accountability.

Matembe concluded by urging Ugandans not to remain silent, saying citizens have a responsibility to defend justice, dignity and the values contained in the country’s Constitution.