Kampala — Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday granted prominent rights lawyer and civic activist Dr Sarah Bireete bail of Shs1 million cash, with each surety bonded at Shs10 million non-cash, as her closely watched case proceeds.
Dr Bireete — the 49-year-old director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and a well-known election observer — was ordered to surrender her passport to the court and instructed to appear for further proceedings on February 27.
Bireete was arrested on December 30, 2025, at her Kampala residence after security personnel surrounded her home, a move she publicly described as a “siege”.
Prosecutors formally charged her on January 2, 2026, with unlawful obtaining or disclosure of personal data belonging to the Electoral Commission, contrary to provisions of Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act. They allege that between January and December 2025, she accessed and shared National Voters’ Register information across several districts without authorisation.
In court, Bireete denied the allegations, and her defence counsel emphasised her constitutional right to the presumption of innocence.
The bail application was fiercely contested. Chief State Attorney Joan Keko, representing the prosecution, argued that the medical grounds cited by the defence did not justify bail unless it was proven that the Uganda Prisons Service could not manage the condition. She also challenged the adequacy of the proposed sureties, questioning their financial standing and ability to honour bond conditions.
The defence, led by lawyer Jude Byamukama, countered that bail is a constitutional right anchored in the presumption of innocence and that the guidelines do not demand “extremely wealthy” sureties, only that they be responsible and credible.
Bireete’s arrest and prolonged pre-trial detention drew sharp criticism from civil society groups both locally and regionally. The Uganda Women’s Movement (UWM) described her detention without swift bail as undermining the rule of law and warned that arbitrary arrests of civic actors pose a threat to democratic governance, especially with the 2026 general elections looming.
Regional networks such as the East African Civil Society Organisations’ Forum (EACSOF) and international election observer bodies also condemned the delay in granting bail, warning that it reflects a broader contraction of civic space and judicial protections ahead of critical polls.
Who is Sarah Bireete?
Dr Bireete is a seasoned lawyer and human rights defender. She heads the Centre for Constitutional Governance, a Kampala-based watchdog organisation that promotes electoral integrity and constitutionalism. She also chairs the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (E-HORN) and is involved with the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM).
Her arrest — and the legal battle that followed — has become emblematic of wider tensions between state authorities and civil society actors monitoring elections, drawing sustained attention from local and international rights advocates.
ALSO READ: Besigye Must Walk Free — By Court Order or Political Deal?
