Winnie Kiiza, Others Commend Sarah Bireete’s Courage After Detention

Ntinda-Relatives and friends of Dr. Sarah Bireete have commended her for resilience and courage, days after the Buganda Road Magistrates Court granted her bail.

Dr. Sarah Bireete (in middle) during the Thanksgiving ceremony

Dr. Bireete, the Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG), is facing charges of allegedly obtaining and disclosing National Voters’ Information without consent from the Electoral Commission.

Supporters gathered at the CCG offices in Ntinda for a thanksgiving ceremony to welcome her back from Luzira Prison, describing her as a principled leader who stands by the truth regardless of the circumstances.

Among those present was Hon. Winnie Kiiza, who praised Dr. Bireete for her steadfast commitment to justice and good governance.

“Amidst all the challenges you went through and those that you are about to go through, you are an asset to the nation, you are an asset to the African continent, an asset to the world. Napoleon said that there is a lot of conflict in the world not because of bad people but because of the silence of good people,” Kiiza remarked.

She added that many people have long recognized Dr. Bireete as a strong advocate for the rule of law and good governance.

“Sarah is a mother. If she is in jail, her family is in jail also. If you don’t love Sarah, at least you have to feel sorry for her family,” she said.

Kiiza further commended Dr. Bireete for mentoring her and shaping her into the leader she is today, pledging to continue speaking out against wrongdoing in the community.

Mr. Phillip Wafula Oguttu, a close friend of Dr. Bireete, said that without delving into the merits of the case, he prays for the day she will be declared a free person so she can continue inspiring the younger generation through her work.

Dr. Bireete’s younger brother, Mr. Joseph Beyanga, expressed gratitude to the many friends who stood with the family during the difficult period. He noted that although he did not visit her in prison, it was not out of indifference.

“During the time she was in Luzira, I never visited her any day, not because I didn’t want to see her. I knew there were many friends. I said let her catch up with them. She is my sister and I follow her, she is my elder. Don’t let the grey hair in my beard confuse you,” Beyanga said.

In her remarks, Dr. Bireete recounted her experiences from her home to Nateete Police Station and later to Luzira Prison, describing them as challenging but transformative.

“At Nateete Police Station I was guarded like a terrorist, and on day two security was amplified. I asked them why they treat a mere activist like a terrorist,” she stated.

Some of the friends and relatives who gathered at CCG offices for the Thanksgiving.

While in detention, she said she worked with fellow activists to launch a plan to draft a constitution for women. The document, she explained, will be translated into eight languages and distributed free of charge, particularly to women in prison.

Dr. Bireete also pledged to continue supporting women in Luzira Prison, including assisting a mother whose child has heart complications.

Many of those who attended the thanksgiving ceremony pledged their support toward advancing the initiative.