Besigye In Poor Health Condition!! Minister Baryomunsi To Meet And Plead To M7 Over Besigye Release

Uganda’s Health Minister, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, says he will brief President Yoweri Museveni on the health condition of detained opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye following his visit to the veteran opposition leader at Mulago National Referral Hospital.

Baryomunsi made the remarks in a video in which he explained his decision to visit Besigye, amid growing public and political attention surrounding the opposition leader’s health.

The minister said his visit had attracted scrutiny from some supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), with some questioning why a senior government official would personally visit a prominent opposition figure.

Baryomunsi, however, defended the visit, saying his responsibility as Health Minister extends to all Ugandans regardless of their political affiliation.

According to the minister, President Museveni appointed him to oversee the country’s health sector and that responsibility requires him to attend to both NRM supporters and people belonging to opposition political groups.

He said his visit to Besigye should therefore be viewed in the context of his official responsibility rather than as a political statement.

Baryomunsi visited Besigye at Mulago National Referral Hospital on Friday, August 7, where the opposition leader had been receiving treatment after his health deteriorated. New Vision reported that Besigye had been admitted at Mulago after collapsing during proceedings in his treason case in Kampala on July 29.

Following the visit, Baryomunsi said he found Besigye steadily recovering and wished him a full and speedy recovery.

The minister’s visit came at a time when Besigye’s medical condition had become a major subject of public debate, with his family and political allies expressing concern about his ability to recover while in detention.

Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, later protested his return to Luzira Prison after he was transferred from Mulago on Friday evening. She said the opposition leader remained in a weak condition and required continued rehabilitation and assistance with basic activities.

Byanyima questioned why Besigye had been returned to prison before, in her account, he had regained the ability to walk, speak and care for himself. Her concerns have added to pressure on authorities to explain the medical basis for the decision to transfer him from hospital back to prison.

The circumstances surrounding Besigye’s health have also placed government officials under increased public scrutiny, particularly because of his status as a long-standing political opponent of President Museveni.

Baryomunsi’s decision to visit him has consequently attracted attention beyond the medical issues surrounding the opposition leader. The minister’s explanation suggests that he considers the provision of healthcare to be a government responsibility that should not be determined by political allegiance.

His promise to brief President Museveni on Besigye’s condition could also provide the President with a direct update from the minister responsible for the country’s health sector.

Besigye, a former presidential candidate and retired military officer, has remained in detention while facing serious legal proceedings. His recent collapse in court and subsequent hospitalisation have intensified calls from his supporters and family for greater attention to his medical needs.

For now, Baryomunsi’s position is that his interaction with Besigye was part of his official duty as Health Minister. His comments also underscore the politically sensitive position of government officials responsible for public services in a country where political divisions remain pronounced.

The minister’s planned briefing to President Museveni is therefore likely to attract further attention as questions continue over Besigye’s recovery, his medical care and whether his condition is compatible with continued detention.

The government has yet to publicly release a detailed medical report outlining Besigye’s current condition, treatment plan and rehabilitation needs.