Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye is “critically ill” in jail after embarking on a hunger strike to protest his detention, according to one of his lawyers. This development has raised serious concerns about Besigye’s health and the broader human rights situation in Uganda.
Besigye, a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested in November 2024 and charged with treason. His arrest and subsequent detention have been condemned by human rights groups, who have raised concerns about the fairness of the legal proceedings and the respect for due process.
Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, stated that Besigye is too ill to attend court hearings and requires urgent medical attention outside the prison. However, prison officials have dismissed these concerns, stating that the prison’s medical facilities are adequate.
The case of Kizza Besigye highlights the ongoing challenges facing human rights and political freedoms in Uganda. The government’s treatment of political opponents has drawn international condemnation, and concerns remain about the erosion of democratic space and the suppression of dissent.
The international community must continue to monitor the situation closely and urge the Ugandan government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law.”