In Summary: Gen Salim Saleh says he has reconnected with detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and helped facilitate his transfer to the Joint Clinical Research Centre for specialised medical care. He hopes ongoing engagements could produce a breakthrough within three to six months, although no release agreement has been announced.
Nakaseke, Uganda — Senior Presidential Advisor Gen Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh, has expressed optimism that efforts to resolve the political standoff surrounding detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye could yield a breakthrough within three to six months, following his recent visit to the ailing politician.
Gen Saleh, who is President Yoweri Museveni’s younger brother and Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), disclosed that he had reconnected with Besigye after learning about his deteriorating health and subsequently intervened to facilitate access to specialised medical care.
Speaking on Friday while addressing Members of Parliament at Kapeeka in Nakaseke District, Saleh confirmed that he had taken up the matter following a request from Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“I recently reconnected with Dr Kizza Besigye after learning about his illness and visited him,” Saleh said. “Now that the CDF, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has asked me to handle his matter, I welcome the opportunity. In the next three to six months, we shall have a successful outcome,” he added.
Saleh was addressing legislators who were visiting factories at Namunkekera Liao Shen Industrial Park when he spoke about his renewed engagement with the opposition politician.
He explained that his involvement followed a social media post by Muhoozi concerning Besigye, which prompted him to reconnect with the former presidential candidate, whom he described as an old colleague.
Saleh said his visit enabled him to assess Besigye’s health condition, after which he helped facilitate his transfer from detention to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Lubowa, Kampala, for specialised medical attention.
He said he wanted Besigye to first stabilise medically before engaging him in meaningful discussions aimed at addressing their longstanding political differences.
The retired general also framed the intervention as part of a broader effort to prevent political divisions among Uganda’s older generation from being inherited by younger people. “We are trying to help young people not to inherit generational quarrels. I hope we can convince each other in the next three or six months to get the Uganda we want,” he said.
Growing consultations over Besigye’s detention
Saleh’s remarks come amid wider consultations involving government officials, political actors, religious leaders and other prominent Ugandans seeking a possible political resolution to Besigye’s continued detention.
Earlier reports indicated that a committee of eminent persons had been constituted to support Saleh’s intervention, bringing together individuals associated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and religious institutions.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao disclosed on October 20 that President Museveni had directed consultations involving stakeholders in the cases of Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Mao, however, emphasised that the consultations were running alongside judicial proceedings and would not replace the courts in determining the cases.
On October 28, Minister Balaam Barugahara also appealed for patience, telling residents in Rukungiri that discussions concerning Besigye’s possible release were ongoing and urging them to give the process time.
However, the reported consultations have not been without controversy. The People’s Front for Freedom previously denied claims that it was negotiating with Saleh over Besigye’s release, saying senior party officials had not accessed their leader since his collapse in court.
Saleh’s latest remarks also stopped short of announcing a negotiated settlement or confirming that Besigye would be released within the stated period.
Besigye remains in detention since his arrest from neighboring Kenya in November 2024, facing treason charges, which he denies. His legal proceedings remain before the courts, while discussions about his political situation and efforts to address his health concerns continue.
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