Besigye was protesting against being denied legal representation of his choice.Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye collapsed in the dock on Wednesday after repeatedly shouting, "Stop! Stop! Stop!" during his ongoing treason trial.
Besigye was protesting against being denied legal representation of his choice when he appeared before the civilian court in Kampala alongside his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale.
Prosecutors allege that Besigye and Lutale conspired to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni's government through armed means.
The state claims the alleged plot involved meetings and efforts to solicit military, financial and logistical support in Switzerland, Greece and Kenya between 2023 and November 2024.
Besigye has been in detention since November 16, 2024, when he was arrested in Nairobi while attending a book launch before being taken to Uganda.
The case initially proceeded before a military court on security-related charges before being transferred to a civilian court in Kampala following a ruling by Uganda's Supreme Court that prosecuting civilians in military courts is unconstitutional.
During Wednesday's proceedings before Justice Baguma Emmanuel, Besigye objected to the court proceeding when prosecution's principal witness, Orlando Wilson, took the stand, saying he had been denied legal representation of his choice.
Besigye had recently gone on a hunger strike while being held at Luzira Maximum Security Prison in protest over his continued detention and trial before a military court.
He was later admitted to a hospital in Kampala after his health deteriorated.
Following Wednesday's collapse, prison authorities transferred him under heavy security to a private clinic at Bugolobi Village Mall in Kampala.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, said on Thursday Besigye had refused treatment at a government hospital and instead wanted access to his personal doctor at her clinic in Bugolobi.
Opposition figures and allies, including Bobi Wine, expressed alarm over Besigye's deteriorating condition, while the Ugandan government said it was working to transfer his case fully to the civilian justice system.
"We condemn the shameful and dishonourable conduct of the kangaroo judge Baguma. All Dr Besigye and his co-accused are asking for is a fair trial, before a fair Judge, or no trial at all," Wine said on X.
Local media reports indicated that Besigye remained unresponsive following the incident.
