Ugandan Rights Defender Detained, Raising Pre-Election Tension
KAMPALA, Uganda – Prominent human rights defender and election observer Dr. Sarah Bireete is in police custody, authorities confirmed Wednesday, sparking growing concern over civil liberties ahead of Uganda’s January 15 general elections.
Police have not disclosed the formal charges facing Dr. Bireete, the head of the non-governmental organization Center for Constitutional Governance and a well-known critic of the security forces’ involvement in politics. Her arrest comes just days after she publicly criticized President Yoweri Museveni for a campaign stop that caused a major traffic disruption on the crucial Kampala–Masaka highway.
The detention has immediately drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures, who view it as part of a pattern of intimidation against government critics in the lead-up to the polls. Dr. Bireete’s organization has been actively involved in monitoring electoral processes and advocating for constitutional governance.
“The failure to promptly present charges against a figure of her profile is deeply alarming and raises serious questions about the motive behind her detention,” stated a joint release from several local civil society coalitions. They are calling for her immediate release or for her to be charged and presented in court without delay.
The incident casts a renewed spotlight on the political environment in Uganda, where President Museveni, in power since 1986, is seeking another term. International observers and human rights organizations have frequently raised concerns about shrinking democratic space, restrictions on assembly, and the targeting of activists.
As the election date approaches, the arrest of a key election observer is likely to intensify scrutiny on the conditions under which the upcoming vote will be conducted. Authorities have yet to provide a timeline for Dr. Bireete’s legal processing or any further details regarding her case.
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