Why NGO chief Sarah Bireete has been remanded to prison

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Efforts by the Centre for Constitutional Governance executive director, Sarah Bireete's lawyers, to secure her bail as of January 2, 2026, have failed.

The development follows Bireete being charged before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road in Kampala city.

Centre for Constitutional Governance executive director, Sarah Bireete, in a court dock, following the proceedings. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

Bireete, who was arrested on December 30, 2025, was arraigned before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko and charged with disclosing personal data contrary to section 35 (1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act Cap 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.

Amb. Edith Grace Ssempala, Dr. Miria Matembe, Winnie Kiiza, and Joseph Othieno attended the court session at the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road in Kampala city. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

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.

Bireete was 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.

Her legal team applied for bail, presenting four sureties:

• Joseph Beyenda (48), her cousin
• Former Leader of Opposition in Parliament and former Kasese District Woman MP Winnie Kiiza
• Former Ugandan Ambassador to the United States Edith Grace Ssempala
• Human rights activist Joseph Ochieno 
  
  

However, the prosecution objected to the bail application, requesting more time to respond.

Centre for Constitutional Governance executive director, Sarah Bireete, in a court dock, following the proceedings. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

“We are not ready to reply to this bail application and, therefore, seek an adjournment to prepare our response,” Keko told court.

The defence opposed the request, with Byamukama informing court that Bireete suffers from hypertension and that her medical documents had already been uploaded into the court system.

“We, therefore, pray that she is released today on humane grounds,” he argued.

However, Nankya declined the defence's request, noting that the prosecution has the right to verify the medical documents before responding. She adjourned the matter to January 21, 2026, for the prosecution’s reply to the bail application.

David Lewis Rubongoya, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Secretary General (R) and Joseph Othieno (M), looking at their phones during the court session where Centre for Constitutional Governance executive director, Sarah Bireete, was denied bail. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)

Bireete was consequently remanded to Luzira Prison until then.

A group of activists, including Goodber Tumushabe, former ethics minister Miria Matembe, Uganda Law Society deputy president Anthony Asiimwe, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya were in court.