Ugandan Authorities Arrest Prominent Human Rights Activist Ahead of Elections
On December 30, 2025, Ugandan security forces arrested Sarah Bireete, a well-known human rights activist and government critic, at her home, just two weeks before the country’s January 15, 2026, elections. Bireete was taken into custody and held for three days before being brought before the chief magistrates’ court in Kampala, where she was charged with “unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data.”
The authorities alleged that Bireete had obtained or disclosed “national voters information” without the consent of the Electoral Commission, but provided no further details. However, her lawyers claim that during her detention, police questioned her about her social media posts critical of the government and President Yoweri Museveni, who is seeking a seventh term in office. Bireete’s bail hearing has been set for January 21, which means she will remain in detention until after the elections, despite Ugandan law requiring bail to be determined “expeditiously.”
As the director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, a human rights organization in Kampala, Bireete has been an outspoken critic of the government and has frequently commented on local media and online platforms. She has also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the forthcoming elections, including discrepancies in the voters’ registry.
This is not the first instance of Ugandan authorities arresting high-profile government critics ahead of elections. In December 2020, human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo was arrested and charged with money laundering, only for the charges to be later withdrawn. Such actions have raised concerns about the government’s tolerance for dissent and its commitment to upholding human rights.
The arrest of Sarah Bireete has significant implications for the rights to freedom of expression and political participation in Uganda. The Ugandan authorities should release Bireete and drop all charges against her, ensuring that her rights are respected and protected. The international community will be watching the developments in this case, particularly in the lead-up to the elections, to see how the government responds to criticism and dissent.
