Bobi Wine condemns detention of Sarah Bireete, calls charges politically motivated

KAMPALA – National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has strongly condemned the continued detention and remand of human rights lawyer and activist Dr. Sarah Bireete, describing it as a calculated move by the state to silence outspoken voices ahead of the 2026 general elections.

In a statement issued on Friday, Bobi Wine said he spoke with Dr. Bireete by phone earlier in the day and that she was already aware of the intention to keep her in custody beyond polling day.

“When I spoke with Dr. Sarah Bireete on phone this morning, she already knew that the intention of the regime was to keep her in detention until after elections,” Bobi Wine said. “It is therefore not surprising that she’s been remanded till the 21st of January, six days after the election.”

Dr. Bireete was remanded following her arrest and charging by police on allegations of unlawful obtaining or disclosure of personal data, contrary to the Data Protection and Privacy Act. According to Bobi Wine, her interrogators accused her of “spreading poisonous words” by exposing flaws in the National Voters’ Register, encouraging citizens to defy what he termed illegal directives regarding use of the National Flag, and advising voters to remain at polling stations after voting.

Bobi Wine argued that the timing and nature of the charges point to political persecution rather than genuine law enforcement.

“Just like comrade Waiswa, the regime cannot afford to have some of the most outspoken people out there educating the masses about their rights, at such a critical time,” he said. “They prefer to keep people in the dark – but it is no longer working. We’re an awakened generation.”

Police have charged Dr. Bireete, 49, with unlawful obtaining or disclosure of personal data, an offence registered under Police Form 53 and referenced as CPS K’LA CRB 003/2026. The charge was sanctioned on January 2, 2026, and relates to the alleged unauthorized access or disclosure of National Voters’ Information.

According to the charge sheet filed at Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) Headquarters, investigators allege that between January and December 2025, Dr. Bireete and others still at large unlawfully obtained or disclosed voters’ data at various locations in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso districts. The data is said to be controlled and processed by the Electoral Commission, and police contend it was accessed without the Commission’s consent.

The alleged offence falls under Section 35 (1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act, Cap 97, which criminalizes unauthorized acquisition or sharing of personal data.

Dr. Bireete, a resident of Kiwango–Namwezi Village in Bukerere Parish, Goma Sub-county, Mukono District, is a practicing lawyer and a long-time advocate on issues of electoral governance and civic rights.

Bobi Wine dismissed the charge as “ridiculous,” arguing that it reflects the authorities’ own awareness of serious inconsistencies in the Voters’ Register.

“The kind of ridiculous charge placed on her shows that these criminals understand the extent of inconsistencies in the Voter Register, reason why they’re going for citizens who have tried to expose them,” he said.

He further claimed that Dr. Bireete informed him that many credible election observer organisations had been denied accreditation to monitor the polls in Kampala and Wakiso, which he described as a major warning sign.

“That is a red flag for potential delays in delivering electoral materials, voter suppression or outright ballot stuffing, violence and other forms of rigging,” Bobi Wine warned.

By press time, police had not provided details on how the alleged data was accessed, how it was used, or whether any of the “others still at large” had been arrested. The Electoral Commission had also not publicly commented on the matter.

The case comes amid heightened political activity and scrutiny over voter data management, electoral integrity and the enforcement of digital and privacy laws ahead of the 2026 elections.

Bobi Wine said the opposition and its supporters would stand firmly with Dr. Bireete.

“We stand in solidarity with Dr. Bireete. Other than dampen our spirits, let these violations give us more reason to fight on until we regain our freedom,” he said. “Uganda will be free.”