2 January 2026
STATEMENT BY ERC AFRICA ON THE ARREST OF DR. SARAH BIREETE AHEAD OF
UGANDA’S 15 JANUARY 2026 GENERAL ELECTION
The Election Resource Centre (ERC Africa) notes with grave concern the arrest of Dr. Sarah Bireete ahead of Uganda’s general election scheduled for 15 January 2026. According to a statement released by the Uganda Police Force on 30 December 2025, the Police confirmed the arrest of Dr. Bireete. Formal charges are yet to be filed. Dr. Bireete is the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and serves as Chairperson of the East and Horn of Africa Election Observation Network (E-HORN) and as Chair of the Board of the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM).
The credibility of any election is linked to the extent to which a government upholds and protects the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens and election stakeholders. This includes the ability of civil society actors and election observers to operate freely, without intimidation, harassment, undue interference or free from the abuse of the rule of law.
The arrest of Dr. Bireete by the Uganda Police Force significantly undermines the freeness, fairness, and credibility of the forthcoming elections and are inconsistent with Uganda’s obligations under the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, to which Uganda is a signatory.
ERC Africa strongly condemns the arrest of Dr. Bireete and calls for the respect of the rights of election observers and civil society actors in Uganda. We express our solidarity with Dr. Bireete, the Centre for Constitutional Governance, E HORN, GNDEM, and all election observers committed to defending electoral integrity and democratic principles in Uganda.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ERC Africa – Board Chairperson
Trust Maanda
erczimbabwe@gmail.com
www.ercafrica.org
