Opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye has reportedly been returned to Luzira Prison after receiving treatment at Mulago National Referral Hospital, sparking fresh concerns from his family over his health condition.
The development has caused concern among his supporters and family members, with his wife Winnie Byanyima saying the veteran opposition leader was taken back to prison despite still being too weak to walk, speak or take care of himself.
According to Byanyima, Besigye was removed from Mulago Hospital after 7pm on Friday, August 7, and transferred back to Luzira Prison while still undergoing recovery from the health complications that forced his hospitalisation.
She claimed that when she last saw him before the transfer, he was still unable to walk or communicate properly and required assistance with basic activities, including eating.
“When I left KB at 4.30pm, he still could not walk or talk. At lunch, I fed him soft food with a spoon because his arms and hands remain very weak,” Byanyima said.
She added that Besigye was not yet in a condition where he could independently care for himself, raising questions about whether he was ready to return to prison.
The former presidential candidate had been admitted to Mulago Hospital after collapsing during a High Court session in Kampala on July 31, leading to increased concerns about his health and ability to continue facing court proceedings.
Since his admission, Besigye’s medical condition has become a major issue surrounding his continued detention and the ongoing treason case against him.
Byanyima said that while at Mulago, family members had been assisting with his care because of his weakened state and inability to perform some activities without help.
She questioned why authorities moved him back to Luzira before he had regained enough strength to walk, speak and feed himself without assistance.
“When they came for @kizzabesigye1 tonight, he was about to have his dinner. They did not even allow him to eat it,” she said.
Byanyima further explained that Besigye’s family had been involved in his daily care at the hospital because he remained dependent on support from those around him.
She also revealed that a meeting had earlier taken place involving prison officials, Mulago doctors, Besigye’s personal doctor and his family to discuss his recovery and rehabilitation plan.
According to Byanyima, doctors presented a rehabilitation programme for Besigye, while a senior prisons official reportedly acknowledged that Luzira Prison could not adequately support him in his current condition.
She said the family believed that medical advice would be respected and that Besigye would remain at Mulago until he recovered further.
“We believed medical judgment would prevail. We were wrong,” Byanyima stated.
The transfer came shortly after Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi visited Besigye at Mulago Hospital and said that the opposition leader was steadily recovering.
Baryomunsi said he had visited Besigye and wished him a quick recovery while appreciating the medical workers attending to him.
However, Byanyima questioned the timing of the transfer, claiming that the decision to move Besigye back to prison came after the minister’s visit.
She asked who authorised the transfer and why medical recommendations were allegedly ignored while Besigye remained in a fragile condition.
Byanyima also criticised Baryomunsi’s visit, saying the minister was not invited by the family or medical team and had appeared at Besigye’s bedside without their request.
As of the latest reports, Uganda Prisons had not issued a detailed public explanation regarding Besigye’s return to Luzira or responded to the concerns raised by his family.
The High Court had earlier directed Uganda Prisons to provide a medical report on Besigye’s condition as questions continue over his health and whether he is fit to participate in court proceedings.
Besigye’s return to prison has therefore intensified debate over his medical condition, detention and the handling of his ongoing legal case, with his family insisting that his health should be prioritised.
