In brief
Kizza Besigye, jailed since 2024 on treason charges, collapsed in court and was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital’s ICU. His wife, UN AIDS head Winnie Byanyima, issued a statement on X about his condition. Besigye had protested against state lawyers presiding over his case, showing his unwillingness to accept government‑appointed counsel. The incident has drawn attention from opposition groups, human rights advocates, and international observers who call for a medically‑based release. The situation underscores the tension between Uganda’s long‑held leadership and the voices of dissent.
Veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye collapsed at a High Court hearing in Kampala this Wednesday, losing consciousness during a treason trial, and was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital’s intensive‑care unit.
Besigye, 70, has been detained since November 2024 on accusations of plotting to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni, a charge that carries a death penalty in Uganda.
According to a X post by his wife, UN AIDS chief Winnie Byanyima, Besigye was unresponsive and had refused contact from any government medical staff.
Besigye’s lawyer was detained last month, adding to the drama. He had also accused court officials of pressuring him to accept state‑appointed counsel, a move he publicly opposed before the collapse.
The ICU nurses and security staff guarding his ward have been described by witnesses as heavily armed, ensuring he cannot be moved without clearance.
In response, opposition figures and human‑rights groups are calling for an immediate release based on medical grounds, arguing that the political context of his detention should not override his health rights.
Besigye’s son, Adam Ampa, has sent an open letter to President Museveni and army chief General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, demanding mercy for his father.
The incident highlights the ongoing human‑rights concerns surrounding the Ugandan regime’s treatment of political opposition, especially as the country enters a key period of political scrutiny.
