In a dramatic turn of events, veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye has called off his hunger strike following his formal arraignment in a magistrate’s court.
The announcement was made by his wife, Winnie Byanyima, who took to social media to share the update.
Greetings from @kizzabesigye1 at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) February 21, 2025
He has called off his hunger strike now that @KagutaMuseveni and his son, the army chief, have finally brought a charge against him in a civilian court.
He is very weak but has started to take fluids and fruits…
A Gradual Recovery
Besigye, who had been on a hunger strike to protest his prolonged detention without charge, is now taking steps to recover.
“He is very weak but has started to take fluids and fruits and will move on to solid food gradually,” Byanyima added.
She expressed confidence in her husband’s innocence, stating, “Dr. Besigye is innocent and confident he will be found so. Thank you all for standing with him—your pressure forced this rogue regime to respect his rights! We will meet them in court. Tutakutana!”
The Legal Battle Ahead
Besigye’s lawyer, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, confirmed that the hunger strike had ended after the government formally charged the opposition leader with treason.
“And now that Dr. Besigye has been formally arraigned before the magistrate’s court on charges of treason, he has decided to call off the hunger strike,” Lukwago told journalists outside the court.
Lukwago explained that Besigye had been protesting his illegal detention since January 31, during which no formal charges were filed.
“Today, they have finally brought him before the court and secured a remand warrant,” he said.
The legal team is now focused on securing Besigye’s release. “We are proceeding with processing his bail application.
We want it filed today, and we are engaging the court registrar to ensure the paperwork is executed and commissioned in time,” Lukwago added.
A Symbol of Resistance
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures, has long been a thorn in the side of the ruling government.
His hunger strike and subsequent arraignment have once again brought attention to the challenges faced by political dissenters in Uganda.
Related: FDC Demands for Besigye’s Immediate Release from Prison
What’s Next?
As Besigye transitions back to solid food and his legal team works on his bail application, the case has become a rallying point for his supporters.
The court proceedings will undoubtedly be closely watched, not just in Uganda but across the globe, as they unfold in the coming weeks.
Besigye’s fight for justice is far from over, but for now, his decision to end the hunger strike marks a significant moment in this ongoing saga. The eyes of the nation—and the world—remain fixed on what happens next.
