Emmanuel Nigel's Commentary: "The Unlawful Arrest of a Ugandan Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Dr. Sarah Bireete, Keeps Undermining the Principles of Justice and a Violation of Human Rights."

By Emmanuel Nigel

Piemonte House

Date: Wednesday, December 31st, 2025

Living in Uganda! It's excruciating to know that the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance, Dr. Sarah Bireete, was arrested yesterday, Tuesday, December 30, 2025, as the Ugandan Lawyer and Human Rights Activist would be arraigned in court on yet-to-be-disclosed charges. It's not good how certain things are being conducted in Uganda. Dr. Sarah Bireete has been vocal on issues of Constitutional Governance of the Country and she has done very well. "The Unlawful Arrest of a Ugandan Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Dr. Sarah Bireete, Keeps Undermining the Principles of Justice and a Violation of Human Rights." But such an unlawful arrest, like that of Dr. Sarah Bireete and others in Uganda, undermines the principles of Justice by replacing the Rule of Law with fear and intimidation. It erodes Public trust in State Institutions and weakens Democratic Governance. Instead of protecting Citizens, the abuse of power turns law enforcement into a tool of suppression, targeting those who advocate for Accountability and Reform.

A State like Uganda that criminalizes Advocacy risks losing its moral compass, and Uganda has lost and is still losing its moral compass day and night. True Security and Stability are achieved not by silencing Critics, but by upholding Justice, respecting Human Dignity, and allowing Civic Space to flourish.

Protecting Human Rights Activists is not a favour it's a legal and moral obligation essential for Peace, Justice, and Sustainable Development. I think Dr. Sarah Bireete has always been vocal about the Constitutional Governance of our Country, it's her right to do so. She loves her Citizens, she loves Uganda, and she wants things to be in order where there are no violations. It's very bad that the Ugandan Government keeps undermining the Principles of Justice, violating Freedom of Expression, and violating Human Rights. There are so many unnecessary arrests of Citizens in Uganda, and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is gradually causing a lot of pain to the Ugandan Citizens. Free Dr. Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre of Constitutional Governance.