By Peter Luzinda
Kampala — Prominent human rights advocate and governance expert, Dr. Sarah Bireete, has been remanded to Luzira Prison following her appearance before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on charges of unlawfully accessing and disclosing personal voter information. The charges stem from alleged activities that took place between January and December 2025, involving unauthorized use of data from Uganda’s National Voters Register.
Bireete, who serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), is accused of violating sections of the Data Protection and Privacy Act. The prosecution alleges that she, along with others still at large, unlawfully obtained or shared voters’ data without permission from the Electoral Commission, the body mandated to manage and safeguard voter information in the country.
During the court session, Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko read the charges to Bireete. The accused pleaded not guilty, denying any involvement in the alleged offences. She acknowledged the gravity of the charges but maintained that the accusations are baseless. The court, citing ongoing investigations, ruled to remand her until the next hearing set for January 21, 2026.The alleged offences reportedly occurred across multiple districts, including Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono. Authorities claim that the data was accessed and potentially shared for purposes yet to be fully disclosed, a matter that continues to raise concerns regarding the safety and ethical use of personal voter records in the electoral process.
The arrest of Dr. Bireete late last month has sparked strong reactions from civil society organizations and human rights defenders. Many have criticized what they describe as a growing trend of shrinking civic space in Uganda, particularly as the country moves closer to its general elections. Bireete has long been recognized as a leading voice on issues of democracy, transparency, and accountability in governance.
Her case underscores rising tensions between government agencies and independent civil actors, especially around the management of sensitive electoral data. With Uganda’s political landscape growing increasingly heated ahead of the polls, observers note that the outcome of this legal battle could have broader implications for civic engagement and data privacy enforcement.Dr. Bireete’s arrest and remand mark a significant moment in Uganda’s pre-election period, with many now watching closely to see how the justice system handles a case involving one of the country’s most outspoken governance watchdogs. Her legal team is expected to file for bail in the coming days.The allegations fall under Uganda’s Data Protection and Privacy Act, which prohibits unauthorized access or dissemination of personal data. Authorities claim the information accessed may have been used for unspecified purposes, raising concerns about electoral data security ahead of the 2026 elections.
Civil society organizations and legal rights groups have expressed concern over the arrest, calling it a potential threat to civic engagement and democratic participation. Many view Bireete’s prosecution as part of a larger pattern of state pressure on independent voices in Uganda.
Bireete, who leads the Centre for Constitutional Governance, has been vocal on issues of governance, transparency, and electoral integrity. Her arrest has prompted debates around data governance and the relationship between civil society and state institutions.
Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for how Uganda treats data-related offences, particularly as digital access to information becomes more common in electoral processes. Her legal team is expected to seek bail in the coming days.