EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! Matembe Returns to Elective Politics, To Run for MP Seat Says, ‘I’m Biblical Moses’

By Francis Otucu

Ex-Ethics and Integrity Minister, Miria Rukoza Koburunga Matembe has in an exclusive interview Monday revealed she is seeking to represent the elderly in the 11^th Parliament.

Arguing the need to return to Parliament, the Coalition for Electoral Democracy in Uganda (CCEDU) Chairperson said the vulnerable, especially the elders have been crying out, without anyone to come up as their voice of hope.

To her, this is God’s calling and that if it is, she will not fight for the seat, will offer herself as an independent candidate and that will be it.

EXCERPTS

Qn: How true is it that you have are seeking to represent the elderly in the 11^th Parliament?

Ans: I have been seeing the elderly suffering on TV. I see them crying, being chased out of the land. Children are beating them, others are being chased by their fathers. So, I have been feeling so bad and so I said surely, because me when I have a platform, I get up and fight for this people. So, I have been wondering who is there who is able to fight for this people. Then out of the blue, I saw (I was inside my house and I didn’t know they were intending to bring members for elderly to Parliament. Then I saw them in Parliament debating for a national and female MP for the elderly. So, I said that this is God calling me to go and defend the cause of elderly. The elders have been crying out and I want to say that God has heard them and is calling me to go and be there voice of hope. So, if that is the gossip you want, you can confirm (said on a lighter note). It was in my heart. I had not shared with anybody but since morning, people have been calling me. Because I have been thinking about it that God, I think you are calling me now and you know the passion that I had for the vulnerable people. The elderly of Uganda have really suffered. If you asked me now I could even give you a plan that I think I could do. So, I am going for that and I think I am the best person to pick up that cause and be the voice of hope for them in this situation where for everybody it is survival for the fittest, especially the elderly.

Qn: If the seats were not created, were you thinking of taking on a constituency?

Ans: No. for what? Me with politics we had even finished but now, you know God creates a passion in you, even during covid-19, I have been getting out of the house to go and fight for people who are beaten but then you find you have no authority and the only authority you have is from God and now God brings out a position because he has seen your position. God knows how to do his thing. I am feeling that this is God’s calling for this seat and I am telling you I am not going to fight for it. I have declared to myself that if people want me they will give it to me and I will go and fight for them. Me once God calls me that he has heard his children cry out like in Exodus (God had his children cry out in the slavery and he sent Moses to go and redeem them. So, he has heard the cry of this people and here I am, for me is to offer myself and if they say come and offer yourself, I will be, as simple as that otherwise, I am not fighting for anything. 

Qn: Are you thinking of a political party to have their flag fly you to Parliament?

Ans: To that extent, I am coming as an independent ticket. I don’t subscribe to anybody because if you are going to represent the elderly then you are representing the elderly, who else are you representing and that’s how I think it should really go for other interest groups. I thought yah, it is a calling and if it is, I will do it