Blog Details

Sarah Bireete Arrest: Law Awareness, Civil Liberties and the Fragile State of Democracy in Uganda

The arrest of prominent human rights lawyer and civil society leader Dr. Sarah Bireete has reignited a national debate about the rule of law, civic awareness, and the health of Uganda’s democracy as the country inches closer to the highly anticipated 2026 general elections. Beyond the individual circumstances of her arrest, the incident has exposed deeper structural challenges: limited public understanding of constitutional protections, the expanding role of security agencies in civic life, and the shrinking space for civil society engagement.

Who Is Dr. Sarah Bireete?

Dr. Sarah Bireete is a well-known figure in Uganda’s governance and civil society landscape. She is the founding partner and Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), a Kampala-based organisation that focuses on electoral integrity, constitutionalism, rule of law, civic education, and accountability.

Beyond CCG, Dr. Bireete serves as Chairperson of the East and Horn of Africa Election Observers Network (EHORN) and the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM). Through these platforms, she has played a significant role in election observation, citizen mobilisation, and advocacy for transparent and credible electoral processes across Uganda and the region.

Over the years, she has been a vocal critic of the militarisation of politics, the involvement of security agencies in electoral processes, and the erosion of civil liberties. Her work has placed her at the centre of ongoing debates about governance, democracy, and constitutional order.

How the Arrest Unfolded

On the afternoon of December 30, 2025, security agencies arrested Dr. Bireete following a dramatic operation at her residence in Kampala. According to her own account shared on her verified X (formerly Twitter) account, she alerted the public in real time, stating: “My house is under siege by Police and Army.”

Shortly after this post, close associates confirmed that she had been taken into custody and transported to Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala. Journalists and multiple media houses corroborated the arrest, and the Uganda Police Force later officially confirmed that Dr. Bireete was in police custody and would be arraigned before court in due course.

Efforts to reach her directly after the arrest were unsuccessful, with associates reporting that her known phone numbers became unreachable following the siege. The nature of the operation — involving both police and military personnel — raised immediate concern among civil society actors and members of the public.

Charges and Legal Process

Subsequent reports indicated that Dr. Bireete was charged at Buganda Road Court, although details surrounding the specific charges and the evidence supporting them remain a subject of public scrutiny. The lack of immediate clarity contributed to speculation and concern, particularly given her high-profile role in election monitoring and civic advocacy.

While police maintained that due process would be followed, critics questioned the necessity and proportionality of the arrest, especially the use of a heavy security presence at her residence.

Law Awareness and the Public Response

One of the most striking aspects of the incident has been the mixed public reaction. While civil society organisations, lawyers, and activists quickly condemned the arrest and demanded transparency, a significant portion of the public expressed confusion about the legal issues at stake.

This highlights a persistent challenge in Uganda: limited law awareness within communities. Many citizens are unfamiliar with their constitutional rights, the legal limits of police and military authority, and the protections afforded to human rights defenders. In such an environment, arrests — even of prominent figures — can be normalised or misunderstood, reducing public pressure for accountability.

Civic education initiatives have long warned that when citizens do not understand the law, the law can easily be used against them. Dr. Bireete herself has been a strong advocate for legal literacy, arguing that informed citizens are better equipped to defend democracy and resist abuse of power.

A Broader Threat to Democratic Space

The timing of Dr. Bireete’s arrest is particularly significant. She has been deeply involved in civil society monitoring activities related to Uganda’s 2026 electoral process, including early assessments of the political environment, advocacy around electoral integrity, and citizen mobilisation.

Her arrest comes amid heightened political activity and increasing reports of pressure on opposition figures, activists, and independent voices. For many observers, this incident fits into a broader pattern of shrinking civic space, where individuals and organisations that question state conduct face legal and administrative hurdles.

The involvement of security agencies in what appears to be a civic and political context has intensified fears of militarisation of democratic processes. When election observers, lawyers, and human rights defenders are arrested or intimidated, it sends a chilling message to others engaged in similar work.

Civil Society Under Pressure

Civil society organisations play a critical role in democratic systems by acting as watchdogs, educating citizens, and holding leaders accountable. The arrest of a leading figure like Dr. Bireete raises questions about the safety and independence of this sector.

For organisations working on elections and governance, the incident underscores the risks associated with civic engagement in a politically charged environment. It also threatens to undermine public confidence in the fairness and credibility of upcoming elections.

What This Means for Uganda’s Democracy

At its core, the arrest of Dr. Sarah Bireete is not just about one individual. It reflects deeper tensions between state power and citizen oversight, between security and freedom, and between authority and accountability.

Without widespread law awareness, communities may struggle to recognise when democratic norms are being eroded. Without strong protections for civil society, elections risk becoming procedural exercises rather than genuine expressions of the people’s will.

As Uganda approaches the 2026 polls, the manner in which cases like Dr. Bireete’s are handled will be closely watched — both domestically and internationally. Transparency, adherence to due process, and respect for constitutional rights will be essential in maintaining public trust.

The arrest of Dr. Sarah Bireete has become a defining moment in Uganda’s pre-election period. It has exposed the fragility of civic space, the consequences of limited law awareness, and the ongoing struggle to safeguard democratic principles.

Whether this moment leads to renewed commitment to the rule of law or further constriction of civil liberties will depend on how institutions respond — and how informed and engaged citizens choose to be.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.