Govt breaks silence on Besigye’s health after Opposition issue ultimatum for his release

Kampala, (UG):- The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has reassured the public about the health condition of veteran opposition leader Col. Dr Kiiza Besigye and that the government is equally concerned to ensure he receives medical treatment in a hospital of his choice.

Dr Baryomunsi revealed this following a visit to check on Dr Besigye at Luzira Maximum Security Prison on Sunday, February 16, specifically to ascertain his medical condition after the former presidential candidate appeared in Buganda Road Court on February 12 looking weak.

In a press release issued yesterday (Monday), the Minister revealed that a team of Besigye’s private doctors, including his sister, Dr Olive Kobusingye, engaged in discussions with prison authorities regarding his medical condition.

“One of the issues being discussed was the request by Dr. Besigye’s doctors to have him undergo a number of medical and laboratory tests. The prison authorities agreed to the request that he be taken to a medical facility of his choice,” he stated.

Dr Baryomunsi, however, refuted claims that Besigye had been rushed to a private medical facility due to a worsening condition, clarifying that it is standard practice for inmates at Luzira and other prisons to receive treatment at government facilities unless they opt otherwise.

“Ordinarily, inmates at Luzira Prison and other prisons are taken to government facilities for such services. It is therefore not true, as being alleged, that Dr Besigye was rushed to a private medical facility because his condition had worsened,” Dr Baryomunsi clarified.

“During my interaction with Dr. Besigye in his detention room, where I found him lying on his bed, I advised him to resume his meals given his condition. He looked weak and dehydrated because, for days, he had refused to eat,” he added.

The minister confirmed that “the process of transferring his case from the General Court Martial to a Civilian Court, as guided by the Supreme Court, is ongoing and will soon be concluded.”

He therefore called on the public and Besigye’s supporters to remain calm as legal and medical processes unfold.

Besigye, a longtime opposition figure and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, has had several legal battles with the government, often leading to his arrests and detentions. His latest incarceration has drawn concern from political supporters and human rights activists, who have called for his release.

During a February 17 joint-press briefing at National Unit Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kampala, Uganda’s opposition heavyweights, led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Museveni’s government to release Dr Kizza Besigye and all other political prisoners who are still incarcerated over political crimes.

“Together, we are issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the regime to release Dr Besigye and all prisoners of political conscience or else, we shall announce a series of national actions for people to rise up and end this impunity,” Bobi Wine declared.

“We are gravely concerned with the situation of Dr Besigye and other political prisoners who are still being illegally held in prison even after the Supreme Court pronouncement,” Bobi Wine said.

The opposition has vowed to announce their next course of action if the government fails to comply with their demands by the deadline.

The Besigye-Lutale case took a new twist on January 31 when the Supreme Court halted the trial of civilians in military court, raising serious concerns over the legal process.