Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has publicly condemned the recent arrest of prominent civil society leader Dr. Sarah Bireete, framing it as part of a systematic campaign of state repression against critics ahead of Uganda’s election cycles.
In a statement posted on his social media platforms, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president alleged a recurring pattern of intimidation. “Every election cycle, the regime targets civil society leaders, journalists, and human rights activists with arrests, abductions, torture, deportation, etc.,” Bobi Wine wrote.
His remarks came in direct response to the detention of Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG). According to accounts from colleagues and eyewitnesses, police and military personnel raided Bireete’s home early on Tuesday morning to effect the arrest.
“Just learnt of the arrest of outspoken civil society leader, Dr. @SarahBireete after the police and military raided her home,” Bobi Wine stated. He directly linked her arrest to her professional activism, asserting: “Ms. Bireete’s arrest follows her consistent loud condemnation of the criminal regime’s excesses and brutal conduct.”
The Uganda Police Force has confirmed Bireete is in custody at the Central Police Station (CPS) but has yet to specify formal charges. Authorities have previously stated they act within the law to maintain public order.
Human rights organizations have long documented a shrinking of civic space in Uganda, particularly during sensitive political periods. Arrests of opposition figures, activists, and journalists often spike, with critics accusing the state of using the judicial system to silence dissent.
Bobi Wine’s statement amplifies these concerns, suggesting Bireete’s detention is not an isolated incident but a tactical move in a broader strategy. “They want to instill fear and create a climate of silence as we move forward,” he implied, urging national and international observers to take note.
As of press time, Bireete’s legal team is working to secure access to their client and prepare for her anticipated court appearance. The arrest has sparked outcry from local civil society networks and drawn the attention of international human rights watchdogs, who are monitoring the situation closely. The development signals rising political tensions and underscores the volatile environment for government critics in Uganda.
