Just In: Sarah Bireete, Eunice Musiime Reportedly ‘Seized’ By Armed Men

By Swift Reporter

Two civil society leaders and lawyers have been reportedly taken away by security operatives as authorities intensify efforts to locate veteran politician and women’s rights activist Miria Matembe, whose whereabouts remain unknown following a security operation at her Luzira home last week.

Those detained have been identified as Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, and Eunice Musiime, Executive Director of the Alliance for Women Advocating for Change.

According to sources, the two lawyers are suspected of having information about Matembe’s whereabouts or of assisting her in evading arrest following the security operation at her residence. The claims have not been independently verified.

The developments have heightened concerns over the disappearance of Matembe, a former Minister of Ethics and Integrity, women’s rights advocate, and one of the framers of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution.

Speaking on Friday, her husband, Nehemiah Matembe, said the family had not heard from her since security personnel raided their home earlier in the week.

“She has not returned since then. We don’t know where she is. Ever since the raid, we have not heard from her,” he said, appealing for her safe return.

According to family members, Matembe had left home for her routine morning jog shortly before armed operatives arrived and searched the residence. Relatives said the officers neither identified themselves nor explained the purpose of the operation.

On Saturday, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, published a series of strongly worded posts on his official X account directed at Matembe.

In one post, he wrote: “Matembe’s time is OVER! Let her open her STUPID MOUTH ANYWHERE again!”

In another, he stated: “Matembe is NOT my elder! She is an IDIOT!”

He also wrote that he did not want “IDIOTS like Matembe” near his daughters and, in an earlier post, said he intended to “teach her manners.”

The remarks followed recent criticism by Matembe, who accused Gen. Muhoozi of undermining state institutions and called on him to show greater respect for Ugandans. She also criticised what she described as the increasing militarisation of politics and alleged abuses against government critics.

By Sunday afternoon, neither the Uganda Police Force nor the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had issued an official statement regarding Matembe’s whereabouts or the reported detention of Bireete and Musiime.