George Anjay
The life of Uganda’s veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye is in grave danger, his wife, Winnie Byanyima, declared with profound concern after a recent visit to him in detention. "He is extremely weak," Byanyima stated in a stark message posted on X, formerly Twitter. The 69-year-old politician, a formidable opponent to President Yoweri Museveni for decades, was reportedly transferred overnight to a medical facility, according to the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, though specific details of his ailment remained undisclosed. This development has sent ripples of alarm through political circles and among human rights advocates.
A spokesperson for the Uganda Prison Service, however, sought to downplay the severity of Besigye’s condition, characterizing his visit to a doctor as a routine "general check-up." This assertion has been met with skepticism and outright dismissal by those close to Besigye and his supporters. Besigye, a former personal physician to President Museveni himself and one of his most enduring political rivals, has been held in detention since November 2024. His continued incarceration, coupled with allegations of deteriorating health, has ignited widespread concern.
Winnie Byanyima, a highly respected human rights advocate and Executive Director of UNAids, detailed the distressing state in which she found her husband. "Dr Besigye told me he is finding it difficult to walk and is experiencing significant pain in his legs," she revealed. Byanyima elaborated that he is suffering from an infection that is reportedly worsening, though she refrained from providing further specifics about the nature of the infection. Her account painted a grim picture of his confinement, describing him as "huddled" on a dirty plastic chair in a small, austere room adjacent to his cell, to which he had been returned after receiving overnight medical attention.
Besigye, who has challenged Museveni in four presidential elections, finds himself detained alongside his associate, Obeid Lutale. Their detention followed a dramatic seizure in Kenya, from where they were reportedly taken back to Uganda. The PFF leader faces serious charges in a military court, including treason, a charge that carries the potential for the death penalty. He has also been accused of illegal possession of a firearm and threatening national security. Besigye vehemently denies all these accusations.
The legal battle for their freedom has been protracted. Last month, a court denied them bail for the fourth time, citing the early stage of the proceedings and the fact that they had not yet entered their pleas. This decision has further fueled frustration among Besigye’s supporters and the PFF.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday, the PFF leveled accusations against Ugandan authorities, alleging the denial of proper medical care for Besigye. The party asserted that his continued detention constitutes a flagrant violation of his fundamental human 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," the PFF declared, unequivocally stating, "We hold the regime and the prison authorities fully accountable for his well-being."
The prison service spokesperson, David Onyango Baine, reiterated his earlier denial of Besigye’s health being critical. He maintained that the opposition figure was under standard medical supervision. "Kizza Besigye receives necessary treatment like other prisoners and he is fine," Baine stated, adding, "This morning he was doing his exercises." This portrayal of Besigye’s condition has been directly contradicted by Byanyima, who labeled the statement as "a cover-up."
Byanyima provided a more alarming account of the preceding night’s events. "Last night, after a sharp deterioration in his condition, he was rushed to the clinic of his personal doctor, where he was treated and then returned to prison late at night," she stated, urgently calling on the authorities to transfer him to a fully equipped hospital for comprehensive care.
The plight of Kizza Besigye has also drawn concern from other opposition figures. Prominent opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has expressed his deep worry over Besigye’s health in detention. Wine echoed sentiments that Besigye’s condition appears to be deteriorating due to limited access to adequate medical care. "We stand fully in solidarity with him and pray for his recovery," Wine posted on X, underscoring the widespread apprehension.
This is not the first instance of Kizza Besigye experiencing health crises while incarcerated at Luzira Prison, a high-security facility in Kampala. Last February, Besigye was also reported to be critically ill after embarking on a hunger strike to protest alleged injustices and demand accountability. This history adds a somber layer to the current concerns about his well-being.
Besigye, who last vied for the presidency in 2016, has consistently accused the Ugandan authorities of political persecution. In recent years, he has scaled back his direct involvement in day-to-day politics and did not participate in the general election held earlier this month. Despite his reduced public political activity, calls for his release on medical grounds have intensified from his family, opposition parties, and various human rights organizations.
President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has previously placed blame on Besigye and his legal team for the delays in his trial, suggesting these delays have contributed to his continued detention. Museveni was recently declared the winner of the presidential election with 72% of the vote, with his closest challenger, Bobi Wine, securing 25%. Wine has rejected the election results as "fake" and has reportedly gone into hiding, citing threats against his life. The political climate in Uganda remains tense, with the health and detention of key opposition figures like Kizza Besigye casting a long shadow over the nation’s political future and human rights landscape. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many expressing grave concerns about the potential for further human rights abuses and the erosion of democratic principles.
Ramos Leo
Nakalama John
