Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who has been on a hunger strike for several days, has been hospitalized after his health took a severe turn for the worse, according to a lawmaker and local news sources the past week-end.
Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has been in detention at a high-security facility in Kampala since November 2024, following what his legal team describes as his “kidnapping” in Kenya. After being forcibly brought back to Uganda, he was charged with various offences, including illegal weapons possession, and has since been tried in a military Court.
Reports indicate that Besigye, who was reportedly in a wheelchair when transferred to a health facility in the Bugolobi suburb of Kampala, is in a critical condition. A family member speaking to local media confirmed that his health had deteriorated significantly, stating that “the situation is bad.” The clinic where he is being treated is under heavy security, adding to concerns about his well-being. Last week, Besigye appeared frail and weak during a court appearance, struggling to walk and unable to speak clearly, further alarming his supporters and prompting widespread calls for his release.
The mounting public outrage has led to intensified calls for Besigye’s unconditional release, with figures like fellow opposition leader Bobi Wine and Uganda’s medical doctors association urging the government to grant him full access to medical care. In response to growing pressure, the Ugandan government has indicated that Besigye’s case will soon be moved to civilian courts, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that found it unconstitutional for civilians to be prosecuted in military courts. The move has offered a glimmer of hope to his supporters, but the situation remains dire as the political climate in Uganda continues to stir tensions.