Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who also serves as the lawyer for detained four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye, has called for his client to receive specialized medical treatment at a hospital of his choice, citing serious health concerns.
Besigye was rushed from Luzira Prison to a private clinic in Bugolobi on Sunday after his health deteriorated.
The transfer occurred shortly after Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, visited him in prison alongside Besigye’s doctor.
However, Lukwago dismissed Baryomunsi’s claims that Besigye’s condition was solely due to dehydration from his hunger strike.
Speaking to Mega Fm, Lukwago said doctors’ reports indicate that Besigye’s health is deteriorating and requires urgent specialized care.
Lukwago further emphasized that Besigye should be allowed to choose his medical facility, whether in Uganda or abroad.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional.
Despite this, Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obed Lutale, remain in detention due to unresolved legal and bureaucratic issues. Last week, Besigye, who has been on remand for nearly three months, appeared visibly weak and struggled to breathe during a court appearance, sparking emotional reactions from supporters.
Meanwhile, Doctors under their umbrella, the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) have expressed concern over the deteriorating health of political opposition stalwart Col Dr Kizza Besigye who is currently being imprisoned in Luzira over treachery charges.
Speaking at a Press Conference on Sunday, Dr Herbert Luswata, the Association president revealed that they had written to prisons authorities requesting for a medical report concerning the doctor’s health but also demanding that he is transferred to Mulago National referral hospital for further assessment.
Luswata says prisoners have the right to receive medical care that meets the same standards as those available in the community as the UN Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners and the laws of Uganda recognise health as a right of everyone regardless of the fact that they are in detention or not.
