Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), has Friday been remanded to Luzira Prison after being denied bail in a case involving the alleged unlawful disclosure of national voters’ information.
The 49-year-old activist appeared before Chief Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko at the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala, where she pleaded not guilty to charges under Section 35(1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
Prosecution alleges that Bireete, together with others still at large, unlawfully obtained or disclosed personal data belonging to the Electoral Commission (EC) between January and December 2025 in various locations across Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso districts.
The data in question is described as national voters’ information processed and controlled by the EC.
State Attorney Joan Keko informed the court that investigations are ongoing and requested an adjournment.
Bireete’s defense lawyer, Jude Byamukama, applied for bail but noted technical issues with uploading surety documents to the court’s electronic system, leading to a short adjournment.
However, the magistrate ruled that the bail application would be revisited on January 21, 2026, remanding Bireete to Luzira Prison in the interim.
Bireete, a leading voice in Uganda’s civic and electoral reform efforts, chairs election observation networks including the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM) and the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (E-HORN).
Her arrest on December 30, 2025, followed a dramatic siege of her residence by joint police and army personnel, which she live-posted on social media.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation from civil society, opposition figures, and rights groups, who view it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation ahead of the January 15, 2026 general elections.
Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) described it as state targeting of civil society leaders during election cycles.
The Uganda Women’s Movement warned that such detentions undermine the rule of law and discourage civic participation, particularly for women leaders.
As Uganda approaches a closely contested poll, Bireete’s remand has heightened concerns over shrinking civic space, free speech, and democratic accountability.
Her organization and supporters have called for her immediate release, with hashtags like #FreeSarahBireete trending on social media. The case is adjourned, with Bireete set to remain in custody until the bail hearing later this month.
