KAMPALA — Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday entered a plea of not guilty for prominent human rights lawyer Sarah Bireete and remanded her to Luzira Prison until January 21, 2026, after prosecutors said investigations into the case were still ongoing.

Bireete appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court presided over by Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatikko, who read the charge of unlawful obtaining or disclosure of personal data to her.

According to the charge sheet, Bireete, a 49-year-old lawyer and a resident of Kiwango-Namwezi Village, Bukerere Parish, Goma Subcounty, Mukono District, is accused of unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal data, contrary to Sections 35 (1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.

Prosecutors allege that between January and December 2025, Bireete and others still at large unlawfully obtained or disclosed National Voters’ Register information without the consent of the Electoral Commission of Uganda.

The charges follow a recent public warning by the Electoral Commission cautioning political actors, civil society organisations and members of the public against publishing voters’ photographs or personal details on social media, saying complaints about the National Voters Register should instead be submitted directly to the commission to avoid violating privacy laws.

Asked whether she understood the charge, Bireete replied: “I have understood the offence.”

When asked whether the charge was true, she responded: “Not true,” prompting the magistrate to formally enter a plea of not guilty.

Prosecution seeks adjournment, defence applies for bail

Chief State Attorney Joan Keko told court that the matter was before it for plea but said investigations were still ongoing.

Keko observed: “We seek an adjournment, and we shall inform the court of the status of investigations on the next date.” 

Defense lawyer Jude Byamukama did not object to the adjournment but informed the court that they intended to apply for bail.

Magistrate Jatikko allowed the defence to apply for bail but declined to rule on it immediately, saying the prosecution was entitled to time to respond.

“Prosecution deserves a right to make a reply to the bail application, this being a case that has been brought to court by them,” she ruled.

She ordered that the bail application be heard on January 21, 2026, and that Bireete remain on remand at Luzira Prison until then.

What the law says

Under Section 35 of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, unlawful obtaining or disclosure of personal data attracts a penalty of: a fine not exceeding 240 currency points (about 4.8 million shillings), or  imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both, upon conviction.

Bireete, the executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, is a regular television and radio commentator on constitutional governance, elections and civil liberties. 

Her arrest and continued detention have sparked debate among lawyers and civil society groups as Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections.

BY ChimpReports