KAMPALA, Uganda — Prominent human rights lawyer and activist Dr. Sarah Bireete was on Friday remanded in custody by a chief magistrate’s court, facing charges over the alleged unlawful obtaining or disclosure of voters’ personal data, a case that has sparked widespread concern from civil society groups and rights bodies as Uganda edges closer to the January 15, 2026 general elections.
Bireete, 49, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and a leading voice in Uganda’s civic and electoral reform community, appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the prosecution laid out the offence under the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data belonging to the Electoral Commission (EC), prompting the court to remand her as investigations continue.
According to the charge sheet, Bireete is accused of accessing or disclosing National Voters’ Information; data controlled and processed by the Electoral Commission (EC), without its consent at various locations in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts between January and December 2025.
At the hearing, Chief State Attorney Joan Keko informed the court that the matter was before it for plea.
“The matter is before you for plea,” Keko said.
When asked whether she understood the charge, Bireete responded,
“I have understood the offence.”
On whether the charge was true, she replied,
“Not true,” leading Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko to record a plea of not guilty.
The prosecution told court that investigations are still ongoing, and sought an adjournment to update the court on the status of inquiries at the next hearing.
In response, Bireete’s lawyer, Jude Byamukama, indicated the defence’s intention to apply for bail, but noted that the proposed sureties had not yet been uploaded onto the court’s electronic system.
The magistrate allowed a short adjournment to enable completion of the bail documentation process.
Background to Bireete’s arrest and reactions
Bireete was arrested on December 30, 2025, by a joint force of police and army personnel who surrounded her residence, according to reports and social media posts she made at the time, including one in which she wrote: “My house is under siege by Police and Army.”
The Uganda Police Force later confirmed her detention, stating she was in custody and would be arraigned in court, although initial police statements did not specify the charges.
Her arrest has provoked strong reactions from rights groups and civil society organisations, who argue that her detention, especially in the context of an election year, reflects a broader pattern of intimidation of dissenting voices.
The Uganda Women’s Movement (UWM) issued a statement warning that Bireete’s continued detention without prompt formal charges contravened Article 23 of the 1995 Constitution, which guarantees personal liberty and requires that an arrested person be informed of the reason for their arrest and produced before a court within 48 hours.
“As of January 1, she has neither been charged nor presented before court, rendering her detention unconstitutional and unlawful,” the UWM said, urging immediate and unconditional release.
The organisation warned that such actions undermine the rule of law, weaken public trust in state institutions, and risk discouraging civic participation, particularly for women leaders and human rights defenders ahead of the polls.
Civil Society and political context
Bireete is not only the head of CCG but also chairperson of election observation networks, including the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) and the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (E-HORN), roles that have amplified her profile and influence in regional governance advocacy.
Opposition figures and activists have also condemned her arrest. National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) criticised the arrest, describing a pattern of state targeting of civil society leaders during election cycles and calling for her release while urging authorities to respect constitutional freedoms and the rule of law.
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Rights advocates have expressed concern that the detention of a prominent election monitor and critic at this stage in the political calendar signals an increasingly constrained civic space in Uganda, particularly as the country prepares for what is expected to be a closely contested election.
Moving forward
The case remains adjourned as the judiciary awaits updated investigations from the prosecution.
Civil liberties groups and legal observers are closely watching developments, raising alarm about the implications for free speech, political participation, and democratic accountability in the run-up to the January 15, 2026 general elections, a period already marked by heightened tension and scrutiny of state conduct.
