The Uganda Prisons Service has dismissed reports that opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, insisting that the late-night visit was a routine medical appointment.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja said Besigye remains in stable condition and has since returned to Luzira Prison.
“Dr Besigye only went for his routine monthly medical check-up. There was no emergency. He is back at Luzira and continuing with his normal activities,” Baine said.
The denial follows concerns raised by the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), which claimed that Besigye had been secretly transferred under heavy security to a medical facility at Bugolobi Village Mall after his health allegedly deteriorated.
In a statement, the party said it had received “credible reports” suggesting that Besigye required urgent medical attention.
“It is a tragedy that a man who has dedicated his life to the health and freedom of others is now being denied his own right to medical dignity,” the statement read.
“We hold the regime and prison authorities fully accountable for his well-being.”
PFF further demanded that Besigye’s personal doctors and family be granted unrestricted access and called for his release to enable him seek proper medical care.
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about Besigye’s health while in detention. Over the years, his supporters have repeatedly reported episodes of illness, including previous hospitalisations, claims of poor prison conditions, and alleged denial of timely medical treatment — incidents that have often sparked public outcry and legal battles with authorities.
Besigye is currently jointly charged with Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola over alleged treason-related activities. Prosecutors allege that the three were abducted in Nairobi in 2024 after attending a book launch hosted by Kenyan politician Martha Karua.
According to the charge sheet, the trio later travelled to Switzerland, Greece, and Kenya, where they allegedly participated in physical and virtual meetings aimed at plotting the overthrow of the Ugandan government, in collaboration with operatives based in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala.
They are also accused of failing to report knowledge of these alleged activities between 2023 and November 2024, contrary to Ugandan law.
