Prominent human rights defender Dr. Sarah Bireete’s bail application has met a setback after being opposed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that there were insufficient grounds for her release, opening the window for her further remand at Luzira prison.
Dr. Bireete, who has been in jail since January 2, 2026, faces charges of unlawfully obtaining and disclosing voters’ information without the consent of the Electoral Commission.
Bireete is also accused of violating the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019, when she allegedly shared sensitive electoral data in districts including Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso between January and December 2025, which she denied.
This case is before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court Grade One Magistrate Winnie Jatiko Nankya.
When she appeared before Court on Wednesday she expected response to her bail application that had been filed during her last appearance, citing she was suffering from hypertension and submitted medical documents from Platinum Hospital.
Several sureties had also been presented by the accused person, including her brother Joseph Beyanga, former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza, Joseph Otieno and Edith Ssempala, formerly Ugandan ambassador to the USA.
However, the state represented by Joan Keko opposed the bail request, arguing that the sureties were not adequately credible to meet Court requirements.
Keko argued the sureties lacked adequate proof of financial stability to cover the bail amount in case Bireete failed to return to Court.
She further challenged the submitted medical report by Bireete’s defence lawyers, arguing there was no clear evidence as stated by the law, despite an approval by the Platinum Hospital.
The defence lawyers led by Jude Byamukama told Court they will file a separate application challenging the legality of the charges and the Court’s jurisdiction.
Against that backdrop, the matter was adjourned to January 28, 2026, to allow time to review submissions from the bail application hearing.
