NGO chief Sarah Bireete granted bail
The Magistrate's decision comes after Bireete presented substantial sureties who have also been warned not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
Besides the one million cash deposit, Bireete has also been ordered to deposit her passport with the Court, and she can not leave the country without court permission. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)
KAMPALA - Efforts by Centre for Constitutional Governance executive director Sarah Bireete's lawyers to secure bail have today, January 28, 2026, finally yielded fruit.
The Buganda Road Court Magistrate Winnie Nankya has finally granted bail to Sarah Bireete, a cash bail of shillings one million.
The Magistrate's decision comes after Bireete presented substantial sureties who have also been warned not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
The court has also considered the fact that it's a constitutional right for Bireete to be granted bail because she is innocent until proven guilty.
Bireete was early January 2026 charged before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road in Kampala city after her arrest on December, 30, 2025.
She was arraigned before Nankya and charged with disclosing personal data contrary to section 35 (1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act Capt 97.
A person who contravenes this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and forty currency points or imprisonment for 10 years or both, according to the law.
However, Bireete, a resident of Kiwango Namwwezi village, Bukerere Parish, Goma sub-county, denied the charges.
According to the prosecution, led by chief state attorney Joan Keko alongside Allan Mucunguzi, Bireete and others still at large, allegedly obtained and disclosed National Voters’ Information without authorisation.
The prosecution claims that the offence occurred between January and December 2025 at various locations across Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso districts.
The data in question is said to be controlled and processed by the Electoral Commission, and prosecutors allege it was accessed without the prior consent of the Commission, an act said to contravene Section 35 (1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
Order to deposit the passport
Besides the one million cash deposit, Bireete has also been ordered to deposit her passport with the Court, and she can not leave the country without court permission.
Her four sureties have also been ordered to sign a noncash bond of shillings 10 million and ordered to ensure that Bireete reports back to the court on February 27, 2026, for the hearing of her case.
Nankya has also directed the prosecution side to disclose all its intended evidence against Bireete to her lawyers so that she can be able to prepare her defence in this case.
Bireete is being represented by a team of eight lawyers, led by Jude Byamukama, alongside Anthony Asiimwe, Kakuru Tumusiime, Zaharah Tumukirize, Kato Tumusiime, Innocent Wanagubo, Ronald Mafabi, and Honely Mugabi.