KAMPALA- News coming in indicates that the Four-time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye has been taken under tight security to a medical facility at Bugolobi Village Mall for urgent treatment.
According to the Buhweju County legislator Francis Mwijukye, Besigye arrived at the clinic, located on the third floor of the mall, in a wheelchair adding that security forces were heavily deployed around the facility, limiting access and movement at the facility called The Clinic.
The Clinic declined to comment on Besigye’s presence, citing medical confidentiality.
“This is a medical facility, so we have confidentiality. I repeat, a medical facility has confidentiality. Thanks for calling,” a staff member told reporters.
However, Ms Doreen Nyanjura, the Kampala deputy Lord Mayor and a member of Besigye’s political inner circle, confirmed to the Nile Post that their leader was being treated.
Efforts to contact Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Besigye, who has been held in remand for nearly three months despite a Supreme Court ruling for his release, appeared visibly weak and struggled to breathe during his court appearance, sparking emotional reactions from his supporters.
Arrested on November 16, 2024, and charged with treason before a military court, Besigye was ordered released by the Supreme Court last month.
However, he remains detained at Luzira Prison, raising serious concerns over government defiance of the court’s decision.
While Uganda Prisons insists Besigye is in good health and receiving proper care, his supporters strongly disagree, citing his frail condition in court.
ICT MINISTER BARYOMUNSI VISITS BESIGYE
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has urged opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye to end his hunger strike, stating that the government is working to transfer his case from the General Court Martial to a civilian court.
Baryomunsi made the remarks after visiting Besigye at Luzira Prison, where he is currently detained, in the presence of Besigye’s personal doctors.
While he did not provide a timeline for the case transfer, his statement suggests that discussions are ongoing.
Opposition groups and human rights organizations have been calling for Besigye’s release, arguing that his trial before a military court is unlawful.
The four-time presidential candidate, who has been on remand for nearly three months despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering his release, appeared weak in court and struggled to breathe, prompting concern from his allies.
Besigye was arrested on November 16, 2024, and charged with treason before the military court. Although the Supreme Court ruled last month that civilians cannot be tried in military courts and ordered his release, he remains in detention at Luzira Prison, raising concerns about judicial independence and the government’s adherence to court rulings.
Uganda Prisons has denied reports that Besigye is on a hunger strike, insisting that he is in good health and receiving proper care. However, his allies strongly dispute this, citing his frail condition in court.
Political analyst and journalist Yusuf Sserunkuma has warned that Besigye’s continued detention could have serious consequences.
