Winnie Byanyima, the wife of veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has raised urgent concerns regarding her husband’s safety while in custody. During an interview with a local newspaper on February 21, 2026, Byanyima characterized Uganda as having devolved into a “naked dictatorship,” where the safety of individuals hangs in the balance.
Byanyima articulated her fears that General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the son of President Yoweri Museveni, or members of the security forces pose a serious threat to Besigye’s life. “We live in fear that General Muhoozi or any of his soldiers could kill Besigye. Uganda is now a naked dictatorship where our lives are in the hands of the president and his son,” she stated emphatically.
In her remarks, she emphasized that although Besigye is incarcerated in a civilian prison, he remains effectively a prisoner of General Muhoozi. She described the oppressive conditions under which her husband is held, stating, “My husband, Besigye, is a prisoner of General Muhoozi, only being held in a civilian prison. He is continuously surveilled, surrounded, and guarded by the soldiers of Gen Muhoozi.”
Byanyima also highlighted her husband’s right to bail, expressing concern for his health. While acknowledging that Besigye is not as ill as he once was, she voiced ongoing worries about his well-being. “Dr. Besigye is not as ill as he was previously, but I’m still concerned about his health. He has allergic reactions to the conditions of the prison in which he is being held. He has a right to bail; he should be released on bail,” she asserted.
Previously, Byanyima had revealed troubling symptoms affecting Besigye, including a high temperature, stomach pain, dehydration, and difficulty walking.
At 69 years old, Besigye has spent over a year in detention following his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya. After being extradited to Uganda, he faced charges of treason and other offenses—charges his legal team, wife, and political allies firmly contest, labeling him a political prisoner targeted for opposing President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing rule.
In the backdrop of these events, President Museveni, now 81, secured another term in the January 2026 elections, having been declared the winner with nearly 72% of the vote, a result that his opponent, Bobi Wine, has vehemently contested as fraudulent.
