Inside Kizza Besigye’s Health Crisis: What Has Been Confirmed So Far

Concerns are mounting over the health of veteran Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye after his party revealed that his condition has worsened while in detention.

According to the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), the 69-year-old was taken overnight to a private hospital in Kampala under tight security. The party claims his health has significantly declined, although it did not disclose specific details about his illness.

Prison officials, however, have pushed back against the claims, insisting that Besigye is not critically ill. Authorities described the hospital visit as a routine medical examination and said he remains under normal medical observation.

Besigye, a former personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni and one of his most persistent political challengers, has been in custody since November 2024.

He is facing charges in a military court, including treason, an offence punishable by death, alongside accusations related to firearm possession and threats to national security. He has strongly denied all allegations.

The opposition leader, who has unsuccessfully challenged Museveni for the presidency four times, was arrested alongside his aide Obeid Lutale after the two were reportedly seized in Kenya and returned to Uganda.

Courts have since denied them bail multiple times, most recently citing the fact that they are yet to formally enter their pleas.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the PFF accused the government of neglecting Besigye’s medical needs, describing his continued detention without adequate care as a violation of his fundamental rights.

The party placed responsibility for his well-being squarely on the authorities and prison management.

Kizza Besigye

Uganda Prison Service spokesperson Frank Baine dismissed the party’s concerns, saying Besigye is receiving appropriate medical attention like other inmates. Baine added that the opposition figure was active and even exercised earlier in the day.

The PFF rejected those remarks, accusing prison officials of downplaying the physical impact of Besigye’s incarceration.

The party insisted that their leader’s condition is serious and called for immediate access to his personal doctors and family to ensure independent medical treatment.

Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, added to the concern during an interview with a local television station. She revealed that her husband had been suffering from intense stomach pain, high fever, dehydration, and physical weakness, to the point where he struggled to walk.

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Byanyima, a prominent human rights advocate and the head of UNAIDS, said Besigye declined treatment from prison medical staff.

This is not the first health scare for the opposition veteran during his time at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.

Earlier this year, reports emerged that he fell seriously ill after embarking on a hunger strike to protest what he described as injustice and political persecution.

Besigye, who last ran for president in 2016, has been less politically active in recent years and did not take part in the most recent general election. Nonetheless, pressure has been growing from his family, opposition groups, and human rights organisations calling for his release on humanitarian and medical grounds.

President Museveni has previously blamed Besigye and his legal team for delays in the trial, arguing that these delays have contributed to his prolonged detention.

Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, was recently declared the winner of the latest presidential election with 72 percent of the vote.

His main challenger, opposition figure Bobi Wine—born Robert Kyagulanyi—secured 25 percent but has rejected the results, calling them fraudulent and claiming his life is in danger.