Dr Sarah Bireete in the dock today, January 2nd 2025
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Ugandan authorities on Friday charged prominent human rights lawyer Dr Sarah Bireete at Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court in Kampala.
The Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, a prominent lawyer, election observer and regular television and radio panelist, Bireete has of late criticised what she describes as increasing militarisation of civic space ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
She was arrested earlier this week, shortly after she posted on X that armed security personnel had surrounded her home.
Luke Owoyesigire, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson had earlier on confirmed that Bireete was to be produced before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road today.
Bireete was on Friday produced before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court where she was formally charged following her arrest and detention on December 30th, 2025.
Prosecutors allege that Bireete, 49, together with others still at large, unlawfully obtained or disclosed national voters’ data without prior authorisation from the Electoral Commission.
According to the charge sheet, the alleged offences were committed between January and December 2025 at various locations within Uganda, including Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts. At court, Bireete denied the charges.
The charges come days after the Electoral Commission issued a public warning about an unauthorised website, registry.ugtally.com, allegedly operated by an entity known as FANON.
The Commission said the platform falsely claimed to offer voter verification services for the 2026 elections.
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