KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition leader in Uganda, is reportedly unwell and in urgent need of medical care while detained. His attorney, Erias Lukwago, revealed on Thursday that the four-time presidential candidate has been experiencing episodes of hypertension since his abduction from Kenya on November 16, 2024. Besigye, 68, is currently held at a maximum-security prison in Kampala, facing charges related to illegal possession of a firearm and threatening national security.
In addition to these charges, Besigye is also faced with a separate treachery charge under military law, a crime that carries the death penalty. His detention and military trial have sparked anger among his supporters and raised alarms among human rights organizations. Amnesty International has called for his release, arguing that his abduction violated international human rights laws and compromised fair trial protections.
Despite the recent ruling from Uganda’s Supreme Court stating that civilians cannot be court-martialed, which raised questions about the legitimacy of his military trial, President Yoweri Museveni has publicly disagreed with the court's decision. Museveni, who has held power since 1986, remarked that “the country is not governed by the judges,” suggesting a dismissal of judicial authority over military matters.
Lukwago and other activists are seeking Besigye's release based on the Supreme Court's ruling. However, prison authorities claim they have not received any formal order to release him. Reports indicate that Besigye's health condition has worsened while in custody, and Lukwago emphasized that the prison health care system is not equipped to provide the specialized care that Besigye requires.
Furthermore, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, who is also the Executive Director of UNAIDS, has claimed that her husband is on a hunger strike, a statement that has been contested by prison officials. Over the years, Besigye has been arrested and assaulted numerous times throughout his political career, although he has never been convicted of a crime.
Besigye's situation has garnered significant attention from Ugandans as the country braces for political developments leading up to the presidential elections scheduled for next year. Although it is anticipated that Museveni will seek re-election, some political observers speculate that he may step aside, leading to uncertainty regarding Uganda's political future. This unpredictability is augmented by the absence of a clear successor within the ruling National Resistance Movement party.
As a qualified physician and former military colonel, Besigye has long been a prominent figure in opposition politics, having previously served as a military assistant and personal doctor to Museveni before his transformation into a staunch critic of the president's regime. His long-standing rivalry with Museveni and his role as a leader of the Forum for Democratic Change party highlight the ongoing struggles for political power in Uganda.
