oluwatosin oyeniyi Prominent Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye has been admitted in critical condition to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala. The 70-year-old politician collapsed in the dock during a high-stakes session of his ongoing treason trial.
Collapse in Court and Unresponsive Status
The medical emergency occurred inside the High Court before Justice Emmanuel Baguma. Tensions inside the courtroom escalated after Besigye and his co-accused vehemently objected to the court imposing state-appointed defense lawyers on them. The defense team had been left disrupted after key private attorneys were either detained or barred from representing him.
Eyewitnesses reported that Besigye shouted for proceedings to stop before falling backward in the dock. He was evacuated from the courtroom by ambulance and initially taken to Mbuya Military Hospital before being transferred under heavy military escort to Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and the Executive Director of UNAIDS, confirmed her husband’s critical condition in an official statement: “He has been admitted to the ICU at Mulago Hospital. He is unconscious, unable to speak, and unresponsive even to a pain stimulus.” — Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS
Hospital management confirmed Besigye’s admission to the ICU, stating that medical specialists are actively managing his condition. However, official details regarding a specific medical diagnosis remain undisclosed.
Deepening Political and Legal Crisis
The collapse of the veteran four-time presidential candidate has intensified political friction across Uganda. Besigye has remained in state custody since November 2024, following his controversial abduction from neighboring Kenya and subsequent repatriation to face treason charges.
Human rights organizations, international observers, and opposition allies have repeatedly condemned the prosecution as politically motivated. Legal advocates argue that prolonged detention, repeated bail denials, and restricted access to independent medical specialists constitute a severe violation of his fundamental rights.
As medical personnel work to stabilize him under tight security restrictions, civil society leaders and opposition groups are demanding immediate transparency, full access for his personal physicians, and his immediate release on compassionate grounds.
