Besigye rushed to private clinic, his lawyer says
A frail-looking Kizza Besigye appears in the dock at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court where he is charged alongside Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, after they were arrested in downtown Kampala while demonstrating against high commodity prices in Uganda in 2022.PHOTO/ ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, but despite this, Dr Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale remain in detention as legal and bureaucratic delays hinder their release.
Detained veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye has been rushed from Luzira prison to a private clinic in one of the suburbs of Kampala, his lawyer said on Sundaym2.
Mr Erias Lukwago who is also Kampala Lord Mayor said in a Sunday evening post on X that the ailing former presidential candidate had been rushed to The Clinic located in Bugolobi in an ambulance.
“More prayers for Dr Besigye currently at a private medical facility in Bugoloobi where he was rushed in an ambulance after his health condition deteriorated,” Mr Lukwago said hours after ICT and national guidance minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi said he had visited him at Luzira prison.
“I have just visited Col Dr Kizza Besigye at Luzira prison in the presence of his personal doctor. I have given him counsel and asked him to resume taking food as the government fast tracks the transfer of his case from the court martial to a civil court,” Dr Baryomunsi posted on his official X.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, but despite this, Dr Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale remain in detention as legal and bureaucratic delays hinder their release.
The former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president has been on a hunger strike in prison, demanding his release.
Buhweju County MP, Francis Mwijukye said Dr Besigye had been wheeled into the private facility Bugolobi village Mall amid tight security.
“Amidst Very heavy security deployment, Dr. Besigye has been brought to a clinic at Bugolobi village Mall. The Clinic is called The Clinic on the 3rd floor of the Mall. He was being pushed in a wheel chair,” he posted.
The development came hours after the spokesperson of the Uganda Prisons Service, Mr Frank Baine told this publication that Dr Besigye was in good health.
“Dr [Kizza] Besigye is fine, whatever you are hearing from some people is just Propaganda..claims that we called his family members as alleged are also not true,” Mr Baine told this publication on Sunday.
