By Bonface Mulyungi
Political detainee Dr. Kizza Besigye who was abducted in Kenya reportedly extremely weak.
Following his abduction in November 2024 in Kenya, Dr. Besigye has been held in Luzira Maximum Security Prison under heavy military security.
While reports indicate he was recently allowed access to his personal doctor, his family has expressed deep concern that this, combined with a previous, rare, and short-lived, hospital visit for “monitoring,” indicates a worsening condition.
“I have seen him twice this week. He is in a terrible situation. The Government of Uganda is being insensitive”, Besigye’s wife said.
Winnie Byanyima has further stated that the family live in fear, that Gen Muhoozi or any of his soldiers could kill Besigye.
“Uganda is now a naked dictatorship state where our lives are in the hands of the president and his son, we are leaving in fear that Gen. Muhoozi could kill him”. She stated.
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, has stated that the Ugandan government is acting with insensitivity, arguing that Besigye needs specialized hospital care immediately. She has demanded his immediate release, arguing that his continued detention in such conditions is, in effect, a slow-motion assassination.
Although the Supreme Court ruling in Uganda recently declared that civilians should not be tried in military courts, Besigye was still being held under military jurisdiction for a time, facing charges of treason and illegal possession of firearms. In February 2025, it was reported that he was, however, transferred to a civilian court for these charges.
