Doctors call for Besigye's release

Medical doctors under their umbrella body, the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), have asked the government to provide a report on Dr Kizza Besigye’s health and transfer him to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialised care.

Addressing journalists at Mulago. Kampala on Sunday, February 16, Dr Herbert Luswata, the president of the association, said they have also written to the Commissioner of Prisons requesting a medical report on Dr Besigye’s health.

“We are concerned about the complaints coming from our membership concerning the health of our colleague in the profession, Dr Kizza Besigye, pointing out deterioration in his health and the possible worsening of the situation, which can lead to irreversible damage,” he said.

“We have written to the Commissioner of Prisons requesting a medical report concerning the doctor's health, so that we can allay fears among colleagues concerning his medical care, but also requesting his transfer to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further assessment,” he added.

Call for release

The Sunday morning address by Dr Luswata came a day after the Association's secretary general, Dr Joel Mirembe, in a statement, called for the "immediate release" of Dr Besigye due to "his deteriorating health condition under prison authorities."

“The Uganda Medical Association (UMA) is gravely concerned about the health of Dr. KizzaBesigye, who is currently held in Luzira Prison. Based on reports and disturbing visuals from his recent court appearance, it is evident that Dr Besigye is quite physically sick and suffering from health issues that have significantly deteriorated, signalling an urgent need for specialized medical intervention from a health care team and facility of his choice,” Dr Mirembe stated. 

Dr Shamim Nambasa, a pharmacist and former guild president of Makerere University under the National Unity Platform (NUP), said: "We are demanding for the release of Dr Kiiza Besigye because we believe that even prisoners have a right to get access to good health care."

"We have seen him from the time he was arrested, his health keeps on deteriorating but we should not forget that in the recent past, we are actually in a by-election at this moment because we lost, honourable Muhammad Ssegirinya in prison because he was denied access to good health care when he asked for it," she said.

"So, we add our voices to the many demanding that Dr Kiiza Besigye who is our fellow medical professional be given access and granted to look for good healthcare services because we see the state he is in and he deserves to be in a much better state," she added.

Dr Luswata today observed that prisoners have the right to receive medical care that meets the same standards as those available in the community, according to the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and the laws of Uganda.
“Specifically, Article 8A (1) of the Constitution recognizes health as a right, stating: “The State shall ensure the provision of basic medical services to all citizens.” 

Additionally, Article 45 of the Constitution guarantees the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights, including the right to health. This includes the provision of care for all, regardless of their legal status, such as being detained in prison,” he observed.

“As an association of professionals who swore to nurture and protect life, it is our responsibility to speak out in defence of our colleague’s health. Remaining silent while a fellow medical professional’s condition is questioned would be a betrayal of the very oath we took,” Dr Luswata added.
Media reports suggest that the four-time presidential candidate, Dr Besigye has been on a hunger strike in protest against his prolonged detention, which has worsened his already fragile condition.

Dr Besigye was arrested on November 16, 2024, and charged with treason before a military court. His detention has sparked debates about judicial independence, particularly after the Supreme Court ruled last month that civilians cannot be tried in military courts—a decision that should have led to his release. Despite this ruling, Besigye remains in Luzira Prison. 
Meanwhile, Dr Luswata also asked the Ministry of Health to come up with a supplementary budget to bridge the gaps created by the freeze of foreign aid by the United States government, especially, to absorb medical workers who lost jobs.