KAMPALA, UGANDA – Outspoken former Ethics Minister Miria Matembe has accused the leadership of Uganda’s religious institutions of being timid individuals who lack the sacrificial spirit necessary to defend godly values.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Her criticism comes in the wake of the abrupt postponement of prayers for detained opposition veteran Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners, which had been scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2026, at Rubaga Cathedral.
Guests had already gathered at the cathedral grounds when the Church unexpectedly called off the ceremony, offering no clear explanation for the sudden change of plans.
Dr. Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale, face charges of treason and illegal possession of weapons following their arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, and subsequent repatriation to Uganda on November 16, 2024.
Speaking to the press shortly after the postponement was announced, an agitated Matembe questioned how church leaders could fear conducting prayers for an individual out of deference to the state.
She drew a sharp contrast with the recent commemorations for Archbishop Janani Luwum of the Church of Uganda, who was killed by the regime of dictator Idi Amin in 1977.
Matembe contrasted Luwum’s fearless criticism of Amin’s human rights abuses with what she described as the timidity of current church leaders, who she claimed stand by and watch injustices occur or even praise them.
Winnie Byanyima, Dr. Besigye’s wife, confirmed that she had spoken directly with President Museveni to clarify that the planned gathering at Rubaga Cathedral was intended solely as a prayer session for her husband and the other political detainees.
While Winnie Byanyima stated that President Museveni promised to convey his position on the matter by Wednesday, unclear sources suggest he may have directly ordered the Archbishop to cancel the prayers.
Despite the cancellation, friends and family of the veteran opposition leader, along with political figures from various parties, had already arrived at the cathedral for what was meant to be a solemn prayer meeting.
In a related development, the High Court in Kampala today, February 24, 2026, adjourned the hearing of charges against Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola, until March 12, 2026.
Trial Judge Emmanuel Baguma has directed the prosecution to make a full disclosure of all evidence it intends to rely on by March 3, 2026.
Reacting to the adjournment, Winnie Byanyima described the ongoing court proceedings as “persecution” rather than prosecution, alleging that the trial has been fundamentally unfair.
She criticized the court for failing to uphold justice, yet expressed confidence in the defence team, commending the lawyers for their firm stance in holding the judge accountable.
The postponement of the prayers and the latest court adjournment have further heightened political tensions and drawn sharp reactions from both the public and the political opposition.
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