Lawyers representing detained human rights lawyer and activist Dr. Sarah Bireete, including Uganda Law Society Vice President Anthony Asiimwe and Jude Byamukama of JByamukama & Co Advocates, have formally requested a production warrant from the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court.

The application, filed on January 7, 2026, aims to bring Dr. Bireete before the court to address alleged flaws in the court’s jurisdiction and the lawfulness of her detention in Buganda Road Criminal Case No. 3 of 2026 – Uganda v Sarah Bireete.

In the document addressed to Her Worship Nankya Winnie, the Trial Magistrate, the lawyers argue that the charge against Dr. Bireete—unlawfully obtaining or disclosing “National Voters’ Information”—is fatally defective, unlawful, null, and void.

They describe the particulars of the offense as failing to disclose any essential ingredient of a known offense, with “National Voters’ Information” deemed a vague description not prohibited under electoral laws.

The remand order, extending her custody until January 21, 2026 (a 19-day period from January 2), is also challenged as exceeding the 15-day limit under Section 122(2) of the Magistrates Courts Act.

The application supersedes an earlier bail request and invokes constitutional protections, including Articles 23(3) and 34(1) of the Ugandan Constitution, alongside Section 3 of the Children’s Act, Cap 62. It emphasizes Dr. Bireete’s role as a mother requiring special safeguards for herself and her children.

The filing urges immediate production of the accused to enable arguments for nullification of the charge and remand.

Dr. Bireete, Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG) and Chairperson of the Global Network of Domestic Election Monitors (GNDEM), was arrested on December 30, 2025.

She was charged on January 2, 2026, under Sections 35(1) and (2) of the Data Protection and Privacy Act for allegedly unlawfully obtaining or disclosing personal voters’ data without the consent of the Electoral Commission.

She pleaded not guilty and was remanded to Luzira Prison after the court deferred her bail hearing, citing the need for prosecution response time.

The case has sparked widespread concern amid Uganda’s approaching January 15, 2026, general elections. Rights groups like GNDEM, AHEAD Africa, and the East and Horn of Africa Election Observation Network (E-HORN) have condemned the detention as arbitrary, violating due process and constitutional rights, including prompt notification of charges under Article 23(3).

Critics view it as part of efforts to silence critics of electoral integrity, voter register irregularities, and potential internet shutdowns—issues Dr. Bireete had publicly addressed, including advocating Starlink as a safeguard.

As Dr. Bireete remains in custody, the production warrant application could force judicial scrutiny of the case’s legality.