KAMPALA, Uganda — Dr. Sarah Bireete, a leading Ugandan lawyer, governance specialist, and human rights advocate, was arrested on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in an operation involving police and military personnel at her residence in Kampala.
Authorities have not yet officially disclosed the charges against her, but the arrest has sparked concern and criticism from civil society and political actors ahead of the country’s January 2026 general elections.
According to police statements, Bireete is currently in custody and will be brought before a court of law once investigators have completed compiling the case file.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the arrest in a statement on her social media account, saying the executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) is being held as inquiries continue.
Uganda Police Force spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke reiterated that authorities are still finalising the investigation and have yet to disclose the specific allegations against Bireete.
He said the file will be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review and legal advice before any formal charges are preferred. “Investigations are ongoing, and we are yet to finalise the details,” Rusoke told reporters.
Siege of Bireete’s Home and Detention
Earlier on Tuesday, Bireete took to X (formerly Twitter) from her verified account to alert the public that her house was surrounded by security forces.
“My house is under siege by Police and Army,” she wrote just before her arrest. Close associates later confirmed she was taken into custody and transported to Central Police Station in Kampala, with her phone unreachable following the operation.
Police have not publicly outlined what offences Bireete might be accused of, though some unofficial sources familiar with the investigations suggest authorities may be considering allegations related to hate speech—a claim not yet confirmed by police at press time.
Background: Who Is Sarah Bireete?
Dr. Sarah Bireete is a well-known figure in Uganda’s legal and civic landscape. She is the founding partner and Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), a Kampala-based watchdog organisation that focuses on constitutional literacy, election monitoring, civic education, rule of law, and accountability advocacy.
In addition to her role with CCG, Bireete serves as Chairperson of the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (EHORN) and the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM)—positions that have elevated her profile nationally and regionally.
She has been a vocal critic of what she sees as the increasing involvement of security forces in political affairs and has regularly appeared in media discussions challenging restrictions on civil liberties and election integrity.
Her work also includes active participation in civic engagements across East Africa, including events emphasising human rights protection, civic space expansion and democratic accountability.
Reaction from Civil Society and Political Actors
The arrest has drawn swift condemnation from some quarters. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine and leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), publicly denounced the detention. He characterised the move as part of a broader pattern of repression targeting civil society leaders and critics of government ahead of elections, urging authorities to respect constitutional freedoms and immediately release Bireete.
Colleagues and rights activists also expressed alarm over the circumstances of her arrest, with several noting that she had been unreachable for hours before confirmation of her detention emerged.
Context: Civic Space and Upcoming Elections
Bireete’s detention comes amid heightened political tensions as Uganda prepares for its 2026 general elections.
Civil society organisations, election monitors and opposition figures have repeatedly flagged concerns about restrictions on civic space, increased militarisation of domestic affairs, and limits on political freedoms—issues that have intensified scrutiny of security agencies’ actions in recent months.
Human rights defenders and observers are closely watching developments, with many warning that arrests of outspoken activists could further constrain democratic participation at a critical moment in the nation’s political calendar.
Next Steps
Police have said Bireete will be produced before a court “in due course” once the investigation is finalised and the docket has been reviewed by the DPP. As of now, details on the exact nature of the charges remain undisclosed
