Uganda opposition leader collapses in court and is in intensive care
The leader of the opposition in Uganda collapsed in court and is now in a intensive care unit, the BCC reports on July 30th.
Kizza Besigye, leader of Uganda’s opposition became unconscious during a court session of his treason trial, according to his wife and head of UNAids, Winnie Byanyima.
Byanyima wrote on X that Besigye “is unconscious, unable to speak, and unresponsive even to a pain stimulus”.
When Besigye collapsed he was protesting the fact that he only had state lawyers to represent him. Erias Lukwago the lead lawyer on his case allegedly failed to report acts of treason and was arrested last month. Martha Karua, Besigye’s other lawyer wasn’t allowed to enter Uganda when she arrived to represent him last month.
Besigye has been in prison since November 2024 after he was abducted from Kenya to be held in Uganda. He and his aide Obeid Lutale have both been charged with treason and deny all the charges. They have been accused of plotting to overthrow Ugandan President Museveni and his government.
Besigye has run for president against Museveni four times. If he is found guilty of treason he could be sentenced to death as treason is a capital offence in Uganda.
In Byanyima’s X post she highlighted how Besigye “ cried out that he was being injured” and that his sister who is his personal doctor, Olive Kobusingye was not allowed to assess him despite being in court that day.
Besigye has been taken to the largest public hospital in Uganda, Mulago National Referral Hospital but according to Byanyima he won’t “allow any government official to touch him”. Byanyima has fought for her husband to be removed from the government controlled facility and treated at a private clinic by his personal physician.
Armed security officers are said to be guarding the ICU wing but his sister has been able to see him. Adam Ampa Besigye’s son has appealed to President Museveni to release his father on humanitarian grounds.
His plea was shared on social media, “Regardless of politics, no son should have to witness his father reach such a state while standing before the very law he served and dedicated his life”.
BBC, Maghrebi.org
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