Uganda: Court to Rule on Sarah Bireete's Bail Application

Human rights advocate and governance expert Dr Sarah Bireete has been returned to the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate's Court for a ruling on her bail application as she continues to face charges related to the alleged unlawful access and disclosure of voter data. Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), appeared before the court after spending several days on remand at Luzira Prison following her arraignment last month. She is charged with unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data, contrary to provisions of the Data Protection and Privacy Act. Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn The prosecution alleges that between January and December 2025, Bireete, together with others still at large, accessed or shared personal information from Uganda's National Voters Register without authorization from the Electoral Commission. During her previous appearance, Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko read the charges to Bireete, who pleaded not guilty and denied any involvement in the alleged offences. In her bail application, Bireete's lawyers argued that she is a law-abiding citizen with a fixed place of abode and substantial sureties, and that she poses no risk of absconding. They also noted that investigations are ongoing and that the offences she is charged with are bailable under Ugandan law. The prosecution opposed the application, citing the sensitivity of the alleged offences and the need to preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations. The court is expected to deliver its ruling on whether Bireete will be granted bail later today. Her arrest and prosecution have drawn criticism from civil society organisations and human rights defenders, who argue that the case reflects increasing pressure on independent civic actors, particularly in the context of electoral governance and accountability. Legal analysts say the ruling will be closely watched, as it could shape future enforcement of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, especially in relation to access and use of electoral data by non-state actors.