Human Rights Advocate Sarah Bireete Arrested

The Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, Dr Sarah Bireete, has been arrested and is currently in police custody, Kampala Metropolitan Police have confirmed. 

The arrest was acknowledged on Tuesday evening by Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachel Kawala, who said Bireete’s file will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for review and guidance on possible charges. 

“She is currently in our custody. Investigations are ongoing, and her file will be submitted to the DPP to determine the preferred charges, after which she will be produced in court,” Kawala said, adding that further details would be released in due course. 

Earlier in the day, Bireete posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account that her home was surrounded by security operatives. She later updated that she had been detained at Nateete Police Station. 

A seasoned lawyer and prominent human rights defender, Bireete is a regular television and radio panellist and has been outspoken on matters of constitutionalism and governance in Uganda. In a recent interview with BBC Africa, she criticised the government over restrictions on the importation of Starlink internet devices. 

She argued that communication from the Uganda Revenue Authority indicated that importers of the devices required clearance from the Chief of Defence Forces, a position currently held by the President’s son. 

Bireete suggested that the restrictions were aimed at controlling internet access during election periods. “There is no other reason to think that the restriction of Starlink devices is not about control of internet usage during elections,” she said in the interview. 

Her remarks drew sharp criticism from supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement, some of whom accused her of inciting violence. Bireete has previously been critical of Yoweri Museveni’s leadership, often alleging constitutional violations, particularly around electoral processes.

Following her arrest, several human rights activists and civil society groups condemned the move, describing it as an attempt to intimidate and silence voices that speak out against perceived injustices and unconstitutional actions in the country.