Veteran Ugandan Opposition figure Kizza Besigye in prisonWinnie Byanyima, the wife of detained Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, has appealed to authorities to allow her husband to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, for specialised medical treatment as concerns over his health continue to mount.
Byanyima renewed her appeal after reporting that Besigye had been transferred from Luzira Prison to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) Hospital on Friday night and remained in a weakened condition.
In a statement, Byanyima said Besigye remained in a weakened state and was struggling with basic physical activities.
“After dark, Dr Kizza Besigye was moved from Luzira Prison to JCRC Hospital today. He is still very weak. He struggles to walk, speak, write or even hold anything steadily,” she said.
Byanyima appealed to authorities to allow her to take Besigye to Geneva, where she said he could receive proper medical care while surrounded by his family.
“I am asking for one thing - let me bring him home to Geneva for proper medical care, surrounded by his family,” she said.
The appeal comes amid an extended health crisis for Besigye, who has been in detention since his arrest in November 2024 and is facing treason charges.
His health deteriorated in July after he collapsed during proceedings at the High Court in Kampala.
He was subsequently taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he received intensive care before being returned to detention.
His family has repeatedly raised concerns about his condition and called for his release to enable him to seek specialised treatment.
Towards the end of July, his son, Adam Ampa Besigye, made an emotional appeal to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urging them to release his father following his collapse during a court session in Kampala.
Adam said watching his father collapse in court had left him heartbroken.
"My heart broke as I watched my father Kizza Besigye collapse in court. Regardless of politics, no son should have to witness his father reach such a state while standing before the very law he served and dedicating his life," he said.
Adam said he was making the appeal as a son rather than a politician, calling for what he described as mercy, compassion and humanity.
"I write to you not as a politician, but as a son," he said.
In a renewed appeal, Besigye's wife has urged authorities to allow him to travel overseas for treatment.
She said he would return to Uganda after recovering to face the case against him.
"He has been arrested more than 50 times. He has faced case after case. He has never run away from justice," she said.
The latest appeal followed what she describes as another transfer from Luzira Prison, with Byanyima questioning the decision to continue moving her husband between facilities while he remained unwell.
“Why drag a sick man from place to place? Why deny him the care of his family?” she asked.
She also questioned the continuation of Besigye’s trial while he was in poor health.
“Why force a trial on a man too ill to defend himself?” Byanyima posed, adding that he needed “care, not cruelty”.
A Ugandan court had also previously considered his medical condition during proceedings.
Earlier in January this year, High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma declined a request to order Besigye’s transfer to a health facility of his choice, saying prison authorities had not indicated that they could no longer manage his condition.
Byanyima has maintained that allowing Besigye to seek treatment abroad would not mean evading justice.
