The Board of Directors of the Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG) led by their Board of Directors has strongly condemned the continued detention of its Executive Director, Sarah Bireete.
Bireete was arrested by the Uganda Police on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 30th, 2025, at her private residence over charges that are yet to be disclosed.
While addressing the press on Friday, January 2th, 2026, at the CCG offices in the Minister’s village, Muwafu Road in Ntinda, a suburb of Uganda’s capital Kampala, speaking on behalf of the board, Godber Tumushabe, said that Ugandans and the international community must note the manner in which Bireete was arrested adding that her current incarceration is blatantly illegal and uncalled for.
According to the new statement signed by the Board of Directors, Bireete’s residence was invaded, and two phones of Bireete’s teenage boys were confiscated during an unauthorized search.
“We call upon Uganda Police to resist this practice of using unsanctioned arrests to bully, harass, and intimidate Uganda citizens, especially pro-democracy and human rights activists or those Ugandans who hold politically dissenting views,” the group stated.
While speaking to the media, Miria Matembe, a lawyer and veteran advocate for gender equality and human rights, revealed that since 30 December 2025, access to Bireete by her lawyers, family, and colleagues has been allegedly restricted.
“Bireete has been active in building knowledge and civic foundations for democracy and respect for human rights in our country and across the globe. It’s disturbing that the regime has no respect for citizens who have held ground in their careers and professions to make contributions to society,” Matembe said.
According to counsel, Andrew Kalamagi, Bireete’s only weapon is her pen and voice through which Ugandans and those facing injustices have gained a voice.
“We therefore call upon the Ugandan regime to stop fearing knowledge and speech that people like Sarah and other civil society leaders and private citizens use to amplify the voices of the oppressed and marginalized,” Kalamagi said.
Since Bireete’s arrest, pro-democracy citizens and leaders of different civil society organizations have demanded her immediate release, accusing the Ugandan regime of a lack of respect for human rights. However, according to police, Bireete is expected to be presented in the Buganda Road Court in Kampala on Friday, January 2, 2026, where charges will be disclosed against her.
