Besigye’s Condition Worsens At Luzira Prison , Wife Confirms He Can’t Speak Or Eat For Days – Writes Will

The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has raised fresh alarm over the health of her husband, veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, warning that his life could be at serious risk as his condition reportedly worsens behind bars.

Besigye, a long-time critic of the Ugandan government, has been on remand since November 2024 alongside his political associate, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya. The two were arrested in Nairobi, Nairobi, and later charged with treason before Ugandan courts — accusations that have intensified political tensions and drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.

Since their detention, anxiety over Besigye’s wellbeing has steadily grown. Political leaders across party lines, members of the clergy, and various human rights organisations have repeatedly appealed to authorities to release him on medical grounds. Supporters argue that continued incarceration, given his declining health, could have irreversible consequences.

Addressing journalists at her residence in Kasangati on Saturday, Byanyima spoke with visible concern about her husband’s physical state. She revealed that she had visited him twice in the previous week and described what she witnessed as deeply distressing.

“The state of Dr Kizza Besigye is worrying. I visited him twice last week and found him frail. At times he loses speech,” Byanyima said. “That is why sometimes visitors do not see him—he is unable to walk or speak.”

Her remarks painted a picture of a man struggling under the weight of prolonged detention. According to Byanyima, Besigye is being held in solitary confinement, cut off from meaningful contact with other inmates. She further alleged that he has been denied the opportunity to take part in shared activities such as church services and recreational programs — interactions she believes are essential not only for morale but for mental stability.

Byanyima argued that extended isolation has compounded his health challenges, describing the situation as damaging both physically and psychologically. In her view, the combination of frailty, limited mobility, and restricted social contact has created a dangerous environment for someone already in a vulnerable state.

On the legal front, Besigye’s defence team — led by former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago — has made multiple attempts to secure his release on bail. However, despite several applications, the courts have consistently declined their requests, leaving him in continued detention as proceedings move forward.

In a further show of solidarity and hope, Byanyima announced that special prayer gatherings have been organised in partnership with religious leaders. These prayers, she explained, are intended to seek what she described as “divine intervention” for Besigye’s freedom, reflecting the deep emotional and spiritual toll the ordeal has taken on family and supporters alike.

Meanwhile, government authorities have maintained that Besigye is receiving appropriate medical attention while in custody and insist that the judicial process must take its course. Officials argue that due legal procedures are being followed and that the matter remains before the courts.

As the legal battle continues, the question of Besigye’s health has become central to the broader political conversation. With emotions running high and pressure mounting from various sectors, the coming weeks are likely to determine not only the direction of the case but also the urgency of the humanitarian concerns raised by his family.