By Ben Musanje
Uganda Law Society has formally petitioned the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court on behalf of prominent human rights lawyer Dr. Sarah Bireete, seeking a production warrant to challenge the legality of her detention. The petition was submitted by ULS Vice President, Anthony Asiimwe, who argued that Bireete’s detention violates legal and constitutional protections.
Bireete was last week remanded to Luzira Prison until 21 January 2026 after entering a plea of not guilty in Criminal Case No. 3 of 2026, Uganda v. Sarah Bireete. Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatikko read the charges, which accuse Bireete of unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data from the National Voters’ Register between January and December 2025 without the consent of the Electoral Commission of Uganda. The alleged acts are said to have occurred in Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso districts.
The charges followed a public warning by the Electoral Commission cautioning political actors, civil society organizations, and members of the public against publishing voters’ photographs or personal details on social media. The commission emphasized that complaints about the National Voters Register should be submitted directly to their office to avoid violating privacy laws.
According to the charge sheet, Bireete, 49, and a resident of Kiwango-Namwezi Village, Bukerere Parish, Goma Subcounty, Mukono District, is accused of violating Sections 35(1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
In his petition, Anthony Asiimwe and the Uganda Law Society argued that Bireete’s detention is unlawful, noting procedural irregularities in both the charge and the remand order. Asiimwe stated that the particulars of the offence do not disclose any essential ingredient of an offence known to law, describing the charge regarding “National Voters’ Information” as vague and authorized under electoral laws.
He further noted that the remand order exceeded the 15-day legal limit under Section 122(2) of the Magistrates Courts Act, with Bireete being held for 19 days.
The filing also invokes constitutional protections under Articles 23(3) and 34(1), as well as Section 3 of the Children’s Act, highlighting Bireete’s status as a mother and the need for special protection for both her and her children.
Copies of the ULS application have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Resident State Attorney at Buganda Road Court. The court is expected to review the petition in the coming days.
The Uganda Law Society, represented by Vice President Anthony Asiimwe, maintains multiple regional branches across Uganda, including clinics and legal aid offices in Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja, Moroto, Arua, and other districts. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
