The life of Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s veteran opposition leader, faces serious threats, as his wife, Winnie Byanyima, revealed following her recent visit to him in prison. She stated, “He is extremely weak,” highlighting the urgent need for medical attention after he was taken overnight to a medical facility, according to the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). However, the prison service spokesperson dismissed concerns about Besigye’s health, characterizing his medical visit as merely a “general check-up.”
At 69 years old, Besigye, who previously served as a personal doctor to President Yoweri Museveni and has been a persistent political rival, has remained in detention since November 2024. Byanyima reported that he has suffered from acute stomach pain and severe dehydration, further complicating his condition.
She described the distressing scene where she found him “huddled” on a dirty plastic chair in a small room adjacent to his cell, where he returned after receiving medical treatment. Besigye, who has run for president against Museveni four times, remains detained alongside his associate Obeid Lutale, following their dramatic abduction in Kenya.
The PFF leader faces serious charges in a military court, including treason, which carries the death penalty, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and threats to national security—charges he vehemently denies. A court has denied them bail four times, asserting that it is premature to grant their release since they have not yet entered their pleas.
In a statement, the PFF condemned the Ugandan authorities for denying Besigye proper medical care, asserting that his ongoing detention violates his fundamental 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,” they emphasized, holding the regime and prison authorities accountable for his well-being.
The prison service spokesperson maintained that Besigye’s health remains stable, claiming he receives necessary treatment like other inmates. Baine asserted, “This morning, he was doing his exercises.” Byanyima, however, labeled this statement as a “cover-up,” insisting that after a sharp deterioration in his condition, he required urgent medical attention from his personal doctor.
Another prominent opposition leader, Bobi Wine, expressed his grave concerns regarding Besigye’s health while in detention, indicating that his condition appears to be worsening due to limited access to medical care. Wine affirmed, “We stand fully in solidarity with him and pray for his recovery.”
This situation is not unprecedented; Besigye has previously faced severe health issues while incarcerated at Luzira Prison, a maximum-security facility in Kampala. Last February, he was reported critically ill after staging a hunger strike to demand justice.
Despite being less active in politics in recent years, Besigye’s family, opposition members, and human rights advocates have increasingly called for his release on medical grounds. President Museveni has attributed the delays in Besigye’s trial to him and his legal team, claiming these factors contribute to his continued incarceration.
Museveni, who has maintained power since 1986, was recently declared the winner of the presidential election, securing 72% of the vote, while his closest challenger, Wine, garnered 25%. Wine has since rejected the results as “fake” and has reportedly gone into hiding due to threats against his life.
