Winnie Byanyima, wife of veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, has rejected calls for her husband to seek forgiveness, insisting that he maintains his innocence and is instead demanding justice.
Byanyima, who is also the Executive Director of UNAIDS, said Besigye will not ask for forgiveness for a crime he maintains he did not commit, arguing that his immediate needs are justice, proper medical care and a fair trial before an independent court.
“Dr Kizza Besigye maintains his innocence. He will NOT ask for forgiveness. He demands justice,” Byanyima said.
Her remarks come amid growing concern over Besigye’s health and continued detention, with Byanyima calling for his release on bail so that he can receive medical treatment and care from his family.
“Respect his right to health. Release him on bail for proper medical and family care,” she said.
Byanyima also renewed her demand for the removal of Judge Emmanuel Baguma from proceedings involving Besigye, arguing that the judge should recuse himself to protect the opposition figure’s right to an impartial hearing.
“Judge Baguma must recuse himself. Kizza Besigye has a right like every Ugandan to a fair trial before an independent and impartial court,” Byanyima said.
The UNAIDS chief said her overriding concern was Besigye’s deteriorating health and his ability to access adequate treatment outside the prison environment.
“My concern is Dr Kizza Besigye’s health and life. I demand that his right to health be respected. Let me bring him home to Geneva for proper medical care. When he recovers, he will return and defend himself in court,” she said.
Byanyima further criticised the conditions under which Besigye is being held, arguing that returning him to prison while he remains physically weak amounts to a violation of his rights.
“Returning a very weak man to an airless, dark, bedbug-infested cell and denying him family care is cruel and a violation of his human rights,” she said.
Her latest push also directly referenced earlier remarks attributed to Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces and President Yoweri Museveni’s son, concerning Besigye’s fate in detention.
Byanyima said Muhoozi’s public warning that Besigye could leave prison in a coffin had heightened her fears about the opposition politician’s safety.
“After Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s public threat that Dr. Kizza Besigye would leave prison in a coffin, I cannot remain silent. Are they trying to make that threat a reality?” she said.
Besigye, a longstanding opponent of President Museveni, has faced repeated legal and political battles over the years. His continued detention has remained a major issue for his family and supporters, who have repeatedly demanded his release and access to appropriate medical treatment, especially after he collapsed in court last month.
Meanwhile, Museveni has given his brother Gen Salim Saleh Powers to forgive Besigye, as reported Here.
