Sarah Bireete
Kampala — Questions are mounting over a possible money laundering case following the arrest of prominent governance activist Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG).
Bireete was arrested on Tuesday, with Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Rachael Kawala confirming the detention but declining to disclose the specific charges. Kawala said Bireete is expected to be produced in court today, where the nature of the accusations is likely to be clarified.
Although police have remained tight-lipped, sources indicate that investigators are probing suspected financial impropriety, with money laundering understood to be a key line of inquiry. The development comes against the backdrop of heightened government scrutiny of non-governmental organisations accused of illegally financing political activities.
Bireete’s arrest follows closely on the heels of another high-profile case in Masaka, where a Catholic priest was arrested and charged with money laundering after authorities reportedly recovered Shs500 million from his Centenary Bank account. The case has intensified public debate around financial flows within religious and civil society institutions.
For years, the government has accused some NGOs of acting as conduits for opposition funding, an allegation that has led to the suspension or closure of several organisations, including the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). Civil society groups have consistently rejected the claims, arguing that the actions amount to intimidation and political repression.
The timing of Bireete’s arrest—just days ahead of the 2026 general elections—has drawn sharp attention from political observers and rights advocates, many of whom describe the move as suspicious and potentially aimed at shrinking civic space during a sensitive electoral period.
Neither the police nor the Centre for Constitutional Governance had released a formal statement detailing the allegations by press time. Authorities say more information will emerge once Bireete appears before court.
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