Matembe Questions Silence of Older Persons’ Representatives Over Alleged Abduction

12 August 2026, 2:35 pm

By Annet Nakato

Former legislator and human rights advocate Hon. Maria Matembe has questioned what she described as the silence of representatives of older persons in Parliament following her alleged abduction, detention and mistreatment.

Speaking to journalists at Eureka Hotel, Matembe said she expected leaders representing senior citizens to speak out more strongly over her experience, arguing that the incident raises broader concerns about the protection of the rights and dignity of older Ugandans

Matembe said the silence was particularly troubling given her age and her long-standing contribution to Uganda’s governance, constitutional development and human rights advocacy.

She called on representatives of older persons in Parliament to take a more active role in defending the rights of elderly Ugandans, saying the protection of human rights should not be left to individuals or political interests.

I feel for these young men and women who are being turned into monsters to be used to kidnap, torture, harass and in some cases kill innocent Ugandans,” Matembe said.

Matembe said she was picked up on June 28, 2026, from a place where she had been staying in hiding following the reported abduction of Elias Lukwago.

According to her account, a tall man whom she said she had seen in videos connected to Lukwago’s alleged abduction arrived at her temporary residence around midday and claimed that President Yoweri Museveni had sent for her.

She said she was taken with some of her belongings and driven towards Entebbe. Upon reaching the express highway, she alleged that she was blindfolded and taken to a place she believed was operated by the military.

Matembe said she was held for three days and subjected to harsh conditions.

“I was starved to near death. I resorted to prayer because I knew my God would rescue me,” she said.

She said she was later put into a van commonly referred to as a “drone” and driven at high speed to the Jinja Road Regional CID Office, where she alleged she was left at about 3pm.

Matembe said the journey left her with severe back pain and, combined with hunger, made it difficult for her to stand or walk properly.

She also raised concern over what she described as the alleged involvement of young men and women in kidnappings, torture and harassment of citizens.

Matembe further linked her experience to wider concerns about alleged abuses by security agencies.

She alleged that some police stations were increasingly being used as places where people allegedly subjected to military harassment were taken.

She specifically referred to Jinja Road Police Station, alleging that the station had previously declined to register a complaint filed by her husband concerning an alleged invasion of their home by armed men.

However, the allegations made by Matembe have not, in themselves, established who was responsible for her alleged detention or the circumstances surrounding it.

Relevant security agencies would need to respond to the claims and provide their account of the events.

During the press conference, Matembe also called on Ugandans to defend constitutionalism, justice and human rights.

She recalled her involvement in Uganda’s constitutional-making process, saying she was among the 21 members of the Constitutional Commission that prepared the draft Constitution that became the basis of the 1995 Constitution.

She said she later joined the Constituent Assembly as a delegate and served on the Legal Affairs Committee.

Matembe said her work during the constitutional process involved travelling across the country and listening to Ugandans’ aspirations for better governance.

She said her lifelong advocacy has focused on gender equality, human dignity, democracy and justice.

The veteran women’s rights advocate said Uganda had previously gone through periods of political violence and repression and expressed confidence that citizens could overcome the challenges facing the country.

Meanwhile, the Uganda Media Women’s Association (UMWA) has called for stronger representation and advocacy for senior citizens in Parliament.

UMWA Executive Director Margaret Ssentamu said older persons should have a meaningful voice in decisions and policies affecting their lives.

Ssentamu acknowledged the support Parliament has provided to senior citizens and appreciated individuals and organisations that have continued to advocate for their rights and welfare.

In Parliament, we have representatives of senior citizens, elders and Members of Parliament,” Ssentamu said, stressing the importance of these representatives in ensuring that the concerns of older persons are heard.

She called for continued cooperation between Parliament, civil society organisations and representatives of older persons to strengthen programmes and policies addressing the needs of senior citizens.

Ssentamu said the welfare of older persons should remain part of Uganda’s broader national development agenda and that their concerns should not be overlooked in decision-making.

Matembe’s allegations and the subsequent calls for stronger representation have renewed debate about the responsibility of institutions and elected representatives to protect vulnerable citizens, including older persons.

The allegations surrounding Matembe’s reported abduction and detention remain subject to verification and responses from the relevant authorities.