Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kampala, Uganda — Sarah Bireete, one of East Africa’s most prominent human rights lawyers and civil society leaders, was detained by Ugandan security forces on December 30, 2025, in what critics and international observers describe as part of a widening crackdown on dissent ahead of the January 15, 2026 general elections. The arrest underscores deepening political tensions in Uganda and has sparked widespread concern among rights groups, opposition figures, and regional observers.
Bireete, a seasoned legal expert and activist, serves as the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), a Kampala-based organisation focused on promoting constitutionalism, civic education, electoral integrity, and accountability. She also chairs the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (EHORN) and is a key figure in the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM). Her work has positioned her at the forefront of civil society efforts to uphold democratic norms and expose abuses by state actors.
According to local media reports and official statements, police and military personnel surrounded Bireete’s home in the Nateete suburb of Kampala late on December 30, leading to her detention. Prior to her arrest, she took to her verified social media account to post that her residence was “under siege by Police and Army,” a message that shock-tracked many civil liberties advocates. Authorities later confirmed she was taken into custody but have so far declined to publicly disclose any formal charges. Police stated that she will be “arraigned before court in due course,” leaving the precise legal basis for her detention uncertain.
The timing of Bireete’s arrest has drawn sharp criticism both domestically and internationally. Uganda is now less than three weeks away from its next presidential and parliamentary elections, which pit long-time incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has led the country since 1986, against opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Critics argue that the government’s actions represent a systematic effort to stifle civic activism and weaken organisations seen as supportive of opposition causes.
Opposition leaders have condemned the arrest in unequivocal terms. Bobi Wine, whose National Unity Platform (NUP) has faced increasing pressure from state security apparatuses during the campaign period, described Bireete’s detention as part of a broader pattern of repression. He said that civil society figures, journalists, and rights defenders are frequently targeted during election cycles to intimidate critics and undercut opposition mobilisation. Wine and his supporters are calling for Bireete’s unconditional release and respect for constitutional freedoms.
Civil society organisations, legal experts, and regional rights networks have also voiced alarm. The East and Horn of Africa Election Observation Network, which Bireete chairs, issued statements emphasising that her arrest, particularly without formal charges or transparent legal procedures, raises serious concerns about the protection of civil liberties and due process. Human rights advocates warn that detaining key observers could hamper independent monitoring of the electoral process, undermining confidence in the credibility of the elections themselves.
While police have confirmed Bireete’s detention, authorities have not clarified the nature of any allegations against her. Some media reports suggest that investigators are compiling a case file, which will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal review before any charges are formally preferred. However, the lack of transparency has heightened fears of politically motivated legal action, particularly given Bireete’s outspoken criticism of the government’s increasing use of security forces in civic and political spaces.
The political environment in Uganda has grown increasingly fraught as the election approaches, with opposition parties and civil society groups reporting a pattern of detentions, harassment, and intimidation. Prior to Bireete’s arrest, members of the NUP alleged that hundreds of their supporters have been detained this year, often without clear legal grounds. International human rights bodies, including the United Nations, have publicly condemned what they describe as an “intensifying crackdown” on dissent and urged Ugandan authorities to uphold fundamental freedoms.
Uganda’s next general election is being closely watched both domestically and internationally. President Museveni’s extended tenure, coupled with growing discontent over economic challenges and governance issues, has fuelled calls for political change. But the perceived suppression of opposition figures and independent observers has sparked worries about a narrowing civic space and the potential erosion of democratic norms in the final weeks before votes are cast.
In Kampala, the reaction to Bireete’s arrest has been palpable. Reports indicate that plans are underway for a women-led protest march scheduled for January 1, 2026, aimed at demanding her release and drawing attention to what organisers describe as the repression of civil liberties. Security agencies, however, have reportedly placed forces on high alert to prevent unrest or disruptions as the holiday period converges with intensifying political activity.
Legal experts and scholars are warning that the continued detention of civil society leaders could have long-term consequences for Uganda’s democratic health. By detaining voices perceived as critical of state security operations and political processes, the government risks alienating large segments of the electorate and reinforcing fears of selective justice. Observers note that transparent, inclusive, and credible elections are vital to maintaining public confidence in governance and national stability.
The unfolding events in Uganda reflect broader regional and global concerns over the shrinking space for civil society, particularly in nations undergoing politically charged transitions. Bireete’s arrest, as a high-profile case, has drawn attention to the challenges faced by activists advocating for democratic accountability in environments where political expression is increasingly contested.
As the election date draws closer, stakeholders across Uganda’s political spectrum are bracing for further developments. Whether Bireete will be formally charged, brought to trial, or released remains unclear. But her detention has already become a focal point in debates over electoral integrity, rule of law, and the future of pluralistic governance in Uganda.
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