Ugandan police have detained prominent human rights activist Sarah Bireete, authorities said Tuesday, as President Yoweri Museveni’s government intensifies actions against critics and opposition figures ahead of the January 15 general election.
Police confirmed the arrest in a statement posted on social media platform X, saying Bireete was being held in custody and would be presented in court at a later date. Officials did not disclose the charges or provide a timeline for her court appearance.
Bireete is the executive director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance and a well known lawyer who regularly appears on television and radio to criticise state actions. Her detention comes as political tensions rise during the final stretch of campaigning.
“She is in police custody and will be arraigned before court in due course,” police said, without offering further details.
The Centre for Constitutional Governance could not immediately be reached for comment.
Uganda’s election pits Museveni, 81, who has ruled since 1986, against opposition leader Bobi Wine, a former pop star turned politician who leads the National Unity Platform.
Wine and his party say hundreds of their supporters have been detained this year, including during campaign events. They argue the arrests are intended to intimidate voters and weaken opposition organising.
International concern has also grown. Last month, United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk warned of what he described as an intensifying crackdown, saying at least 550 National Unity Platform supporters had been detained this year, according to data cited by his office.
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Bireete has previously criticised what opposition groups describe as illegal detentions and mistreatment of political activists. Her arrest adds to a list of high profile opposition figures currently behind bars.
Veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains in detention more than a year after his arrest on treason charges, which his supporters say are politically motivated.
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine has accused security forces of physically assaulting him while campaigning in northern Uganda. Police said they would investigate the incident, but no findings have been released publicly.
With the election just weeks away, rights groups and opposition leaders say the handling of political dissent will be closely watched by voters and international observers.
