Uganda’s veteran opposition politician, retired colonel Dr Kizza Besigye, stands in the steel dock at the General Court Martial at Makindye, Kampala on November 20, 2024. PHOTO | ABUBAKER LUBOWA
The family of Dr Kizza Besigye have sounded the alarm over his poor state of health and have demanded he be allowed to seek specialised medical help.
The family said they were forced to speak out now because they feared the worst may be imminent to befall Dr Besigye, one of Uganda’s foremost opposition politicians.
Ms Edith Byanyima, who looked distressed, addressed journalists yesterday at the Kampala Serena Hotel. Flanked by her sister Olivia, she said Dr Besigye’s health had greatly deteriorated and that the family had received a late Saturday night emergency call to have Dr Besigye’s doctor visit him in the jail.
“Last night, we received an unexpected request to bring Dr Besigye's doctor to visit him in detention - this after the authorities had repeatedly denied him access to his doctors. We fear this sudden change signals a severe decline in his condition. We are forced to speak out now because we believe the worst may be imminent,” Edith warned.
The statement was signed by five of the Byanyima family members.
Edith, however, did not indicate who called the family.
Dr Besigye is married to Ms Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, and daughter of late Democratic Party (DP) stalwart Boniface Byanyima.
Dr Besigye has run four times against President Museveni.
The Luzira Prisons authorities had reportedly denied Dr Besigye’s personal doctor access to him, arguing that the prison has sufficient facilities to attend to Dr Besigye’s health conditions.
Dr Besigye reportedly went on hunger strike over a week ago over his illegal detention and after the prison authorities reportedly stopped him from receiving food from outside the prison canteen.
Edith said the family cannot just watch in silence when Dr Besigye is in a bad state while the state continues to incarcerate him, even denying him the very basic medical attention.
“We, the family of Dr Kiiza Besigye, are issuing this statement with grave concern regarding his continued illegal detention, in direct violation of court orders,” she said.
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“A few days ago, like most Ugandans, we woke up to the news that Dr Kiiza Besigye had started a hunger strike to protest his continued illegal detention - a fact that some officials are now attempting to deny, claiming that he is "sick". This denial fills us, his family, with terror about what may be planned.” The statement added.
The family also called on the religious leaders and the international community to add their voices to those demanding justice for Dr Besigye, saying their continued silence only worsens the situation.
“To our religious leaders, our bishops, archbishops, imams, and all faith leaders. Your moral voice is needed now more than ever. We implore you to speak out. A man's life hangs in the balance. Your silence in this moment would echo through history. We beg you to raise your voices for both justice and mercy.
“To the international community, we call on you to bear witness. We do not speak with a voice of political opposition now, but with the unified voice of a family crying out in alarm before, it's too late.”
They concluded that “the world is watching and history will remember.”
Their statement said President Museveni would also bear personal responsibility should anything happen to Dr Besigye.
“To President Museveni: You bear direct personal responsibility for Dr Besigye's safety and wellbeing. Should any harm come to him while in illegal detention, the world will know exactly where accountability lies. No official denial, no bureaucratic obfuscation, no political manouvering will obscure this truth. History will judge this moment, and it will judge you for choosing to subvert justice for political expedience,” they said.
They said Dr Besigye's detention continues in direct defiance of court orders, which they said is not merely a violation of the law, but a contemptuous assault on the very foundations of justice that the country is supposed to uphold.
Presidency responds
But Faruk Kirunda, the Deputy Presidential Spokesperson, dismissed the accusations. He said: "The President's views on the Supreme Court ruling have nothing to do with Dr Besigye's detention. It's the process that's taking some time. Let all the concerned do their part to conclude this matter."
"I appreciate the concerns on Dr Besigye's case and sympathise with the family. However, there is no need for alarm but rather understanding of what has to be done. There is a process to transfer his case to the civilian court. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has indicated that steps are already being taken to comply with the decision of the Supreme Court," he added.
"Moreover, Besigye isn't under military detention. He is in Luzira Prisons, and the family can visit him normally in consultation with the prison authorities. If he is on hunger strike, the family shouldencourage him to accept nourishment as his legal team prepares to secure for him bail or any other relief," Mr Kirunda said.
But the family statement said: “The current detention, without legal basis, is nothing short of state-sanctioned kidnapping.”
The statement also warned the prison authority for continuing to hold on to a man they are keeping illegally since no court has issued a remand warrant after the Supreme Court ruling.
“To those holding him: Every meal he refuses, every day his health declines, every moment he suffers – we hold you. These are not just legal violations; they are wounds inflicted on the hearts of his children, his family and his friends,” they said.
Govt reacts
Dr Chris Baryomonsi, the minister of ICT and National Guidance, yesterday on his X page said the government was fast-tracking the transfer of Dr Besigye’s file from the military court to the civil courts. He urged Dr Besigye to end his hunger strike as government works round the clock.
“I have just visited Col Dr Kiiza Besigye at Luzira prison in the presence of his doctors. 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,” he posted on X.
LEADERS, PARTIES CONDEMN DR BESIGYE’S CONTINUED DETENTION IN LUZIRA
NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. PHOTO/FILE.
Robert Kyagulanyi
President of National Unity Platform Party
The present trials and tribulations of Dr Kizza Besigye must not be seen as an attack on him alone but an attack on all of us. He is being persecuted and detained illegally. He is sick. He needs urgent medical attention. He has served this country and fought for all of us. Nobody should trivialise this dire situation. This is not a time to politic. They want to kill Dr Besigye, as they have killed many in the past...
Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, President Alliance for National Transformation party. PHOTOs/ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu
President, Alliance for National Transformation Party
We are just staring at a scene of what the regime has been implementing for a long time. ‘‘Normalising the Abnormal’’ All authoritarian regimes try it. The inevitable next phase (out of their control) is the turning point one. The phase of a trigger. Always inevitable, too. [Aluta continua].
Besigye's lawyer, Erias Lukwago makes his submissions during a court session at the General Court Martial on Wednesday. Photo | Abubaker Lubowa
Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, lead lawyer
We have Combed through all the availablelaws around to have Dr Besigye Released but in vain... Now we are asking what is happening. These people just want to have Dr Besigye dead but we are exploring all legal platforms to ensure that the law is followed and respected.
Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu
Church voice
Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu Archbishop, Church of Uganda
Political call
I pray that we promote peace, dialogue and forgiveness even to those who really need our prayers like retired Col. Dr Kizza Besigye and other politicians where we need to consider their health conditions and extend forgiveness to them as we remember [Janani] Luwum, the peacemaker,”
Edith Byanyima. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
Edith Byanyima, Dr Besigye’s sister-in-law
Last night [Saturday], we received an unexpected request to bring Dr Besigye’s personal doctor to visit him in detention this after the authorities had repeatedly denied him access to his own doctors. We fear this sudden change signals a severe decline in his condition. We are forced to speak out now because we believe the worst may be imminent.
The president of Uganda Medical Association (UMA), Dr Herbert Luswata (in black suit), speaks to journalists about the detention of ailing Dr Kizza Besigye (inset) in Kampala on February 1`6, 2025. Photo/ Tonny Abet
Association speaks
Dr Herbert Luswata, President, Uganda Medical Association
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,”
Sarah Birete, ED Center formConstitutional Governance
As we Celebrate the life and sacrifices of Archbishop Janani Luwum, let’s call out the regime for its excesses and impunity. The likes of Dr Kizza Besigye are the Janani Luwums of our times! Let’s amplify the voices for a Free Uganda.
Dr Miguna Miguna, Kenyan Politician and Lawyer
Freedom Fighters, let’s circulate and trend Free Dr Besigye forthwith until [President] Kaguta Museveni acts on our demand with the urgency it deserves. The continued Unlawful detention, torture, cruel and inhumane treatment of Dr Besigye must be condemned...
FDC party on X: Where is humanity? Our founding president Dr Kizza Besigye Remains detained without trial, defying the Constitutionand the Supreme Court. He is frail and needs urgent care and attention. The world must demand his freedom! We shall overcome someday.
Background
Dr Besigye and his aide Hajj Lutale were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16 last year and later arraigned before the army court in Kampala. They are accused of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
In a related case, the justices of the Supreme Court on January 31, in a majority landmark judgment of 6:1, declared it unconstitutional to try civilians in military courts.
The judges cited a lack of independence and fairness by the army court to those who appeared before them since it derived its powers from the High Command of the army.
