Kampala, Uganda — Fears are mounting for the life of veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, following reports from his wife, Winnie Byanyima, that his health has severely deteriorated inside Luzira Prison.
Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, visited the 69-year-old politician following an emergency overnight transfer to a medical facility. She described him as “extremely weak,” contradicting official statements from the prison service.
“Huddled on a Dirty Plastic Chair”
According to Byanyima, Besigye is suffering from acute stomach pain, significant leg pain, and severe dehydration. She stated that lab results indicated an infection that had been escalating for two days.
“Dr. Besigye told me he is finding it difficult to walk… I found him huddled on a dirty plastic chair in a small room near his cell.” — Winnie Byanyima
Besigye’s legal team had requested a transfer to a private medical facility, but a court rejected the plea on Wednesday, stating there was insufficient evidence that his condition could not be managed within the prison system.
Authorities Deny “Dire” Condition
The Uganda Prison Service has pushed back against claims that Besigye is in critical condition. A spokesperson, Baine, described Besigye’s recent doctor visit as a “general check-up.”
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Official Stance: Authorities claim Besigye is under standard medical supervision and is “fine.”
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The Defense: The spokesperson noted, “This morning he was doing his exercises.”
Byanyima has dismissed the prison service’s statement as a “cover-up,” demanding his immediate release or transfer to a fully equipped hospital.
Political Tensions and Treason Charges
Dr. Besigye, a former personal doctor to President Yoweri Museveni, has been detained since November 2024. He was seized in Kenya alongside his associate Obeid Lutale and returned to Uganda, where he now faces charges in a military court.
The charges include:
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Treason (carrying a potential death sentence).
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Illegal possession of a firearm.
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Threatening national security.
The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party issued a statement accusing the regime of violating Besigye’s basic rights:
“It is a tragedy that a man who has dedicated his life to the health and freedom of others is being denied his own right to medical dignity.”
Post-Election Turmoil
The concerns over Besigye’s health come amidst a volatile political climate. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, was declared the winner of the general election earlier this month with 72% of the vote.
His closest challenger, Bobi Wine (Robert Kyagulanyi), received 25%. Wine has rejected the results as “fake” and has reportedly gone into hiding due to threats against his life. From hiding, Wine expressed solidarity with Besigye:
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“We stand fully in solidarity with him and pray for his recovery.”
Besigye, who did not contest this recent election, has run against Museveni four times previously. His family and human rights groups continue to call for his release on medical grounds.
