Dr. Kizza Besigye, the prominent Ugandan opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate, appeared visibly frail and struggling to breathe during a court appearance on Wednesday, a week into an alleged hunger strike that Uganda Prisons insists is not happening.
Despite a Supreme Court order for his release, Besigye remains in detention, sparking growing concerns about his health and the enforcement of the court ruling.
Besigye, arrested on November 16 last year and charged with treachery, was seen in Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court in a state that alarmed many present.
The once robust opposition leader, who has been on remand despite the Supreme Court’s decision to release him, looked weak and gasped for breath, sending shockwaves through his supporters.
“Our leader @kizzabesigye1 is visibly unwell, he is gasping for air and is in a sorry state. This is painful and hard to take in!” said Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, a loyalist, in an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter). Many others in the courtroom, including Besigye’s close allies, struggled to hold back tears at the sight of his deteriorating condition.
Besigye was initially arrested after being accused of treason, following a series of political events that led to his arrest.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling last month that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, Besigye remains in detention at Luzira Prison, raising questions about the government’s commitment to enforcing judicial rulings.
Although Besigye’s health has been a growing concern, Uganda Prisons has dismissed reports claiming that he has been on a hunger strike, with officials insisting that he is in good health. “Dr. Besigye is receiving proper care and attention while in detention,” said a prison spokesperson, contradicting the accounts from Besigye’s supporters.
The continued detention of Besigye, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, has sparked debate over the rule of law in Uganda and raised questions about the political motivations behind his prolonged incarceration.
