Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was rushed to a hospital late Sunday after his health rapidly deteriorated following a hunger strike he began last week. Besigye, who has been detained at a maximum-security facility in Kampala since November, is reported to be in a critical condition, and local media and lawmakers close to him have raised alarms about his deteriorating health.
Besigye’s plight has sparked outrage both within Uganda and internationally. According to Francis Mwijukye, a lawmaker allied with Besigye, the opposition leader was transported to a clinic in the Bugolobi area of Kampala while being pushed in a wheelchair. Local broadcaster NTV reported that the area surrounding the clinic was heavily secured, with tight security measures observed as Besigye was admitted for urgent medical care.
Besigye, a former presidential candidate and leader of the opposition party Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), was allegedly “kidnapped” from Kenya, where he had traveled, and forcibly returned to Uganda. He is facing charges in Uganda’s General Court Martial (GCM), including illegal possession of weapons, accusations that his lawyers contend are politically motivated. This military prosecution has drawn significant criticism, particularly after a recent Supreme Court ruling declared that civilians should not be tried in military courts, which many believe was a move to expedite his case in civilian courts.
On Friday, when Besigye was brought to court, he appeared frail, struggling to walk and visibly weak. His lawyers had previously expressed concerns over his health, revealing that his condition had worsened in prison. Besigye’s hunger strike, which he initiated as a form of protest, has clearly taken a toll on his body, exacerbating the concerns surrounding his well-being.
The deteriorating health of Besigye has drawn widespread condemnation, with many Ugandans, including fellow opposition leader Bobi Wine, demanding his release and immediate access to medical care. A medical doctors’ association also joined the calls for unrestricted access to Besigye’s doctors, as his family members expressed deep concern over his critical condition.
The Ugandan government, while under mounting public pressure, has said it is fast-tracking the transfer of Besigye’s case to civilian courts. This move comes after the Supreme Court ruled the military prosecution unconstitutional, raising hopes that Besigye’s legal battles may be reconsidered in a more transparent and fair manner.
