Dr. Kizza Besigye’s health is reportedly deteriorating within Luzira Maximum Security Prison, raising urgent concerns about his well-being.
His lawyers are sounding the alarm, stating that the veteran opposition leader requires specialized medical attention unavailable at the prison. This situation demands immediate action.
A Matter of Life and Death?
“Since Friday, he has remained in his cell, unwell,” reports Erias Lukwago, Besigye’s lawyer and Kampala Lord Mayor.
Lukwago paints a grim picture, describing episodes of drastically spiking blood pressure. The concerning factor? Besigye hasn’t been allowed to see his personal physician. This lack of access to specialized care is deeply troubling.
The in-house prison doctors, while present, are reportedly ill-equipped to handle Besigye’s complex medical needs.
They lack the necessary diagnostic tools to properly assess his condition. This raises serious questions about the adequacy of medical care provided within Luzira prison.
Is Besigye’s health being jeopardized by this lack of proper medical attention?
Besigye’s Imprisonment: A Legal Quagmire
Besigye and his associate, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, are imprisoned on charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and treachery.
These charges stem from their arrest in Nairobi, where Ugandan officials allege Besigye was mobilizing resources to destabilize Uganda. He also faces charges of inciting the public related to a 2022 protest against high commodity prices.
Adding to the complexity, Besigye is reportedly on a hunger strike, protesting his continued detention despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring the trial of civilians in military courts illegal.
This ruling casts a long shadow over the legality of his current imprisonment.
A Unique Case
Lukwago argues that Besigye’s detention is unlawful. “Besigye is in illegal incarceration,” he asserts. “He maintains he is in a safe house. He is not on remand, because there is no remand warrant from any court.”
The Supreme Court’s termination of proceedings before the General Court Martial further complicates matters.
According to Lukwago, Besigye faces no pending charges or ongoing proceedings, nor is he a convict.
The legal labyrinth surrounding Besigye’s case is further highlighted by a habeas corpus application filed by his lawyers, seeking to compel the Attorney General and Commissioner General of prisons to justify his continued detention.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Norbert Mao states that the Supreme Court didn’t issue a release order, suggesting the need for proper transfer of cases to civilian courts.
Besigye’s Life Hanging in the Balance
Lukwago’s concerns are stark: “All we can tell you is that Besigye’s life is in danger.” He implores prison authorities to evacuate Besigye to a facility equipped to handle his condition.
“They should immediately transfer him to any facility that can handle him outside of Luzira prison. Short of that, we may get bad news. That is our worry.”
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Besigye is reportedly in solitary confinement, confined to his cell since Friday. His health is clearly at risk.
This situation raises serious ethical and humanitarian questions. Regardless of the legal complexities, access to adequate medical care is a fundamental human right.
The authorities must act swiftly to ensure Besigye receives the urgent medical attention he needs. His life may depend on it.
