Buganda Road Court has deferred the bail application of human rights activist Dr Sarah Bireete to January 21, 2026, ordering that she remains on remand at Luzira Prison as legal proceedings continue.
Dr Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), appeared before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko on Friday, following her arrest by security agencies on December 30, 2025. She is facing charges related to the alleged unlawful obtaining and disclosure of voters’ data, contrary to the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
The court ruled that the state would respond to the bail application on January 21, the same date set for further mention of the case, effectively keeping Dr Bireete in custody for more than three weeks as Uganda approaches the January 15 general elections.
The decision sparked strong reactions from activists, politicians and veteran advocates who attended the court session in solidarity.
Former Ethics and Intergrity minister and women’s rights advocate Miria Matembe sharply criticised the handling of the case, questioning both its clarity and intent.
“I stood there and looked at this girl; I wanted her to see my face, but she never opened her eyes to look at me,” Matembe said outside court. “I don’t know what I would have done if she had looked at me. Maybe I would have been arrested in that court because I would have said, ‘You have no right to judge.’”
Matembe added that the case appeared politically motivated. “Sarah Bireete was arrested to shut her down until after the elections. It’s my first time regretting why I fought for the rights of women to be set free. The case against her is not clear; there is no complainant,” she said.
Opposition figures also voiced concern. National Unity Platform Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya said he checked on Dr Bireete at court and described her as resolute despite the circumstances.
“Dr Sarah Bireete is very strong,” Rubongoya said. “She believes they’re doing this to silence her and ensure she’s not free by the time Ugandans hold elections. The regime is very worried about her outspoken criticism and exposition of the gaps in the electoral process.”
Rubongoya added that opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, spoke to Dr Bireete by phone to express solidarity.
Former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza was among several prominent figures who stood surety during the bail hearing, underscoring the level of support Dr Bireete continues to receive from civil society and political actors.
Dr Bireete’s supporters argue that her continued detention is part of a broader crackdown on dissenting voices ahead of the elections, pointing to her long-standing criticism of electoral governance and advocacy for digital rights and transparency.
The court is expected to revisit the bail application on January 21, when the prosecution is scheduled to formally respond.
