In the most recent urgent action letter, the TRU Students’ Union wrote to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni urging the immediate and unconditional release of human rights lawyer Dr. Sarah Bireete and calling on authorities to uphold her rights to due process, liberty, and freedom from arbitrary detention.
“Writing this letter is a reminder that advocacy doesn’t stop at our campus,” said Keegan Buckley-Boyer, TRUSU Accessibility Representative. “It’s about using our voices to support people whose rights are being taken away and making sure they’re not facing that alone.”
Dr. Sarah Bireete was arbitrarily arrested on December 2, 2025, and is currently being held at Luzira Upper Prison. Her detention appears to be part of a broader crackdown on lawyers, activists, and civil society actors who are perceived to oppose government actions. Since September 2025, hundreds of individuals have reportedly been arrested under similar circumstances. Dr. Bireete has not been provided with a lawful reason for her arrest, was not presented with a warrant, and was denied timely access to bail, which was delayed far beyond Uganda’s legal requirement of 48 hours.
This case reflects a growing pattern of suppressing legal professionals and human rights defenders, undermining the independence of the legal system and the rule of law. When lawyers are targeted for carrying out their professional duties, it not only limits access to justice for individuals but also creates a chilling effect that discourages others from speaking out or providing legal support. The protection of those who defend human rights is essential to maintaining accountability and ensuring that fundamental freedoms are upheld.
“When someone is punished for doing their job as a human rights lawyer, it sends a message that justice itself isn’t safe,” said Buckley-Boyer. “That’s what makes this so serious—because it impacts everyone who depends on those systems to be fair and accessible.”
TRUSU hopes that Ugandan authorities take immediate action to release Dr. Bireete and ensure that human rights defenders are protected rather than persecuted, reinforcing their responsibility to uphold justice and the rights of all individuals.
We await a response from Uganda’s President on this urgent matter.
For more Information
The Amnesty Urgent Actions Program allows the Union to take action regarding international human rights injustices that matter to students. Click this link to see injustices we have addressed previously, and for further information about this issue or to see a copy of the letter, contact the Equity Coordinator below.>