Kizza Besigye hospitalized, the Ugandan opposition leader, has been taken to the intensive care unit of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, where he collapsed during a court hearing, adding to health and political concerns over him. Besigye, who is being tried for treason, allegedly lost consciousness during the hearing, as reported by his wife and medical experts.
The health problem of Besigye has drawn more criticism over Uganda’s handling of its opposition leaders from the international community.
Besigye Collapses During Court Proceedings
Besigye was in court on Wednesday when he allegedly fainted after disagreeing with the appointment of lawyers that were appointed by the State to defend him. It is alleged that while Besigye wanted his own lawyers to represent him, he reportedly fainted before his objection was heard.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, announced his admission to the ICU at Mulago Hospital via social media.
Health authorities have since confirmed that Besigye remains in the ICU of the hospital, but there have not been many details released about his health status. He was said to be in critical condition on his admission to the hospital.
A Long Record of Detention and Health Issues
However, this is not the first time Besigye has had to receive health services in detention.
It has been reported that since his arrest, he has had to be hospitalized three times. The first time happened in early 2025 when Besigye went on a hunger strike, and another time was earlier this year because of health issues.
Besigye has been among the biggest opponents of the president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, for over twenty years. Once a former military doctor who used to be the personal doctor of Museveni, he later joined the ranks of the Ugandan opposition party leaders.
The current legal problems of Besigye emerged because of his charges of treason after he was allegedly kidnapped in neighboring Kenya and brought back to Uganda.
Arrest of Lawyers and Rising Political Pressure
Apart from the controversial court hearing which saw Besigye fall unconscious, there is also controversy surrounding his lawyers in relation to the arrest of one of them.
His lawyer Erias Lukwago, the former mayor of Kampala, was arrested and is currently in detention following the accusation that he failed to report an act of treason.
Another lawyer, Martha Karua, allegedly had her visit to Uganda blocked before she could take part in the case.
This has further heightened the criticisms from the opposition camp, where there is the claim that the government is limiting Besigye’s access to legal representation.
UN Sounds Alarm Over Ugandan Political Situation
As Besigye is currently hospitalized, the UN has stepped up its criticism of Uganda over the treatment of its political opponents.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said that he is very much concerned about the apparent crackdown on dissenting voices, with a continued shrinking of civic space in Uganda.
As per the UN, after President Museveni won a re-election in Uganda earlier this year, many political figures, journalists, and human rights defenders have been arrested, disappeared, and tortured, among others.
Military interventions in civilian matters and increased pressures on media organizations were among others also cited by the UN.
What Next? – Kizza Besigye hospitalized
At this point, the major issue at hand is the health of Besigye.
Besigye is yet to be released from the intensive care unit even as the case against him remains undecided in the courts. The family of Besigye has been raising health concerns about their relative as he remains in prison.
Rights groups are expected to continually pressure the Ugandan government about the manner in which opposition leaders are being treated.
This case will definitely give rise to more queries about democracy and human rights in Uganda.
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