By Our Reporter
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has sounded the alarm over the health of jailed opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, warning that the former presidential candidate is in a critical condition and can no longer move without assistance.
Concerns deepened on Monday when Besigye failed to appear at the High Court Criminal Division, where he and co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale were expected to take plea on charges of treason and misprision of treason. The session was adjourned to October 1, 2025, after both men failed to attend.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Lukwago — who also serves as Besigye’s lawyer — described his client’s frailty during a recent visit to Luzira Prison.
“It is sad Besigye is not here. When we went to see him, he was confined to a room and could not move. He is very unwell. Hajji Lutale told us he has been suffering from dizziness, and by yesterday evening, no one was allowed to see him. Let us pray he gets better,” Lukwago said.
Besigye has been in detention since November last year, when he was arrested in Nairobi and forcibly returned to Uganda. In March, he staged a hunger strike to protest being tried before a military court, a move that further weakened his health. His visibly frail state during a brief court appearance earlier this year left many of his supporters in tears.
At Monday’s hearing, the state informed court that letters had been received from the accused: Besigye cited illness while Lutale claimed he had not been properly notified of the court date.
Besigye’s lawyers argue that his deteriorating health, coupled with his lack of confidence in the presiding judge, has made it impossible for him to participate in the trial under current conditions. They have filed a request for Justice Emmanuel Baguma to recuse himself, citing concerns about impartiality.
Justice Baguma ruled that the recusal application would be heard only when all accused are physically present in court, pushing the matter to October 1.
Meanwhile, Besigye’s legal team and family have renewed calls for his immediate transfer to a proper medical facility, insisting that continued detention without adequate treatment amounts to cruel and degrading punishment.
The latest developments have reignited debate over the state’s handling of Besigye’s case, with opposition voices warning that Uganda risks pushing one of its most prominent political figures to the brink while still under trial.
WhatsApp/Call: +256 754 137391
