By Frank Kamuntu
Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and activist Samuel Lubega Mukaaku were rushed to court today for a hearing in their ongoing incitement to violence case. However, the focus quickly shifted to Besigye’s alarming health condition, as he appeared frail, with teary and yellowish eyes, visibly shivering while standing in the dock under tight security from 10 prison officers.
The four-time presidential candidate, who has been in detention since November 16, 2024, despite a Supreme Court ruling ordering his release, struggled to breathe during his court appearance. His visibly weakened state triggered emotional reactions from allies and supporters in attendance.
Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura expressed distress over his condition.
“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!” she posted on X.
His aide, Ronald Muhinda, was equally shaken.
“PAINFUL! As someone I venerate, I refuse to visit Kizza Besigye in prison because I hate to see him in yellow uniform. At court today, seeing him in this state got me shedding tears,” he wrote, while also condemning President Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Sources suggest that Besigye’s deteriorating health may be linked to an ongoing hunger strike he has reportedly undertaken in protest of his detention and broader political injustices. However, there are also concerns about an unknown illness affecting his condition, further raising alarm about his well-being.
Court Ignores Supreme Court Ruling, Sends Besigye Back To Luzira
Besigye was arrested in November and charged with treachery before the military court. His case took a dramatic turn when the Supreme Court ruled last month that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, effectively ordering his release. However, he remains behind bars, sparking questions about the implementation of the ruling.
He had previously failed to appear in court on February 11, 2025, citing ill health. The officer in charge of Upper Prisons submitted a letter explaining his condition, prompting trial magistrate Winnie Nankya to issue a production warrant. This required prison authorities to present him in court today, February 14, to verify the reasons for his absence.
Despite his evident ill health, the court sent him back to Luzira Prison, scheduling the next hearing for February 20, when it will determine whether to release him or extend his detention further.
Besigye and Mukaaku face charges related to the June 2022 protests in Kampala, where they allegedly used a loudspeaker to urge the public to overthrow the government in response to skyrocketing commodity prices. The prosecution claims this act amounted to inciting violence—an accusation both men have consistently denied.
His continued detention and deteriorating health have reignited political tensions, with supporters arguing that his repeated arrests are a calculated attempt to suppress dissent. Government officials, however, insist that the law must take its course.
With Besigye’s fate now resting in the hands of the court, the coming days could be crucial in determining not just his legal battle, but also his survival.
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