Magistrate Nankya rejected both objections, noting the high standard would unfairly block many Ugandans from bail given prevailing socio‑economic realities.
The Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday January 28, 2026 granted bail to Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance (CCG), after she spent weeks in custody.
Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko fixed her bail at sh1,000,000 cash, alongside a sh10m non-cash bond for each of three sureties: former Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza, veteran media personality Joseph Beyanga, and veteran diplomat Edith Sempala.
Conditions: Bireete must surrender her passport to court and not tamper with witnesses or evidence. She was arrested on December 30, 2025 and charged with disclosing personal data under Sections 35(1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act.
During the hearing, prosecutors claimed her sureties lacked sufficient financial capacity and argued her medical condition couldn’t be grounds for bail unless Uganda Prisons Service could not handle it.
Magistrate Nankya rejected both objections, noting the high standard would unfairly block many Ugandans from bail given prevailing socio‑economic realities.
The case is scheduled to return to court on February 27, 2026 for further mention.
