On Sunday, security agencies detained two prominent civil society leaders and lawyers, Sarah Bireete and Eunice Musiime, for several hours before releasing them.

Bireete serves as Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, while Musiime heads the Alliance for Women Advocating for Change. The pair were taken into custody at Musiime’s home in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District.

Benjamin Katana, treasurer of the National Unity Platform and a close associate of both women, confirmed the incident. He reported that security operatives raided Musiime’s residence, conducted a search, and took the two away.

Katana noted that he had been speaking on the phone with one of them at the time of the raid and later verified the arrests through a family member.

“I have just confirmed with a family member that operatives were trailing Dr. Sarah Bireete. She had only just arrived when, minutes later, they scaled the fence without knocking, searched the house, and took them away,” Katana stated.

He criticized the security agencies for bypassing standard legal procedures, arguing that the operation infringed on citizens’ rights.

The detentions occurred as part of ongoing efforts by security personnel to locate former Ethics and Integrity Minister Dr. Miria Matembe.

Her home in Luzira had been raided the previous week.

According to sources, the operations involving Bireete and Musiime were connected to the search for Matembe. Her husband, Nehemiah Matembe, indicated that the family had lost contact with her following the raid on their residence.

Family members reported that Matembe had left for her usual morning run shortly before armed officers arrived.

They claimed the officers entered the property without identifying themselves or stating the reason for their visit.

These events come amid heightened public exchanges between Matembe and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Two days earlier, Bireete had publicly claimed that security personnel had raided her own home and seized some of her belongings.

“About 20 soldiers forced their way into my home. They searched everywhere, took money, and never told me what they were looking for,” she said at the time.

She added that the officers claimed they were searching for Matembe and others whom they accused her of sheltering.

Bireete also urged President Yoweri Museveni to speak to the nation about what she described as rising fear among Ugandans.

Bireete has faced previous detentions at her residence on multiple occasions. Following questioning about Matembe’s location, both women were released and returned home.

Reports indicate that authorities located Matembe around the same time.