Besigye Health Condition: Health Minister Baryomunsi Gives Update after Visiting Him at Mulago Hospital

KAMPALA — Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has visited detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he is recovering after collapsing during his treason trial at the High Court last week.

Baryomunsi visited Besigye on Friday morning as the opposition leader remained under medical care following his transfer to Mulago after the dramatic courtroom incident.

The minister did not disclose the specific condition being treated or provide details about Besigye’s treatment.

His visit comes days after Besigye collapsed in the dock on July 29 as the High Court proceedings in his treason case were getting underway.

Besigye had spent about 30 minutes protesting in court as the prosecution sought to proceed with its first witness. He had objected to the proceedings continuing without members of his preferred legal team.

The veteran opposition leader eventually collapsed in the dock and was taken for medical attention.

His wife, Winnie Byanyima, later gave a grim account of his condition after visiting him at the hospital.

“This is not the man I left,” Byanyima said after seeing Besigye in the Intensive Care Unit.

Byanyima said Besigye was unconscious and unresponsive following the collapse, prompting his admission to the ICU at Mulago.

Besigye had initially been taken to Mbuya Military Hospital before being transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital.

His collapse forced the High Court to suspend the proceedings.

Justice Emmanuel Baguma subsequently ordered the Uganda Prisons Service to work with doctors at Mulago to conduct a comprehensive medical assessment to establish whether Besigye is fit to continue participating in the trial.

The case was adjourned to August 18.

Baryomunsi, who is responsible for Uganda’s health sector, did not give a detailed medical account of Besigye’s condition after his visit.

He instead said the opposition leader was recovering and thanked the medical personnel attending to him.

“I paid a visit to Dr. Kiiza Besigye today morning at Mulago Hospital, where he is hospitalised. He is steadily recuperating and I wished him quick recovery. I thank the team of Medical workers that are attending to him.” — Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Health Minister

Besigye treason case

Besigye is jointly charged with Hajji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola over allegations that they participated in meetings in Uganda and abroad between 2023 and 2024 as part of a plan to overthrow the government.

The prosecution alleges that the accused participated in meetings in Geneva, Athens and Nairobi where an alleged plan to remove the Ugandan government by force was discussed.

Prosecutors have also alleged that money was obtained to facilitate travel and military training connected to the alleged plot.

Besigye, Lutale and Oola have denied the allegations.

The case followed Besigye’s arrest in November 2024 after he travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, with Lutale.

The two were subsequently returned to Uganda and initially prosecuted before the General Court Martial.

Their prosecution before the military court became part of a wider legal challenge over the trial of civilians by military courts.

Following a Supreme Court ruling on the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians, Besigye’s case was transferred to the High Court.

The High Court later began hearing the prosecution’s evidence.

The proceedings have also been marked by disputes over Besigye’s legal representation.

Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, one of Besigye’s preferred lawyers, was prevented from entering Uganda, while Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, another member of his legal team, has also been in custody on separate charges.

The question of legal representation was among the issues raised during the proceedings on July 29.

The prosecution had called its first witness, Andrew Wilson Orlando, when Besigye objected to the proceedings continuing without members of his preferred legal team.

His protest continued before he collapsed in the dock.

The Uganda Law Society subsequently raised concerns about Besigye’s right to a fair trial, including access to legal representation and his ability to participate in proceedings while medically fit.

The High Court has since ordered the medical assessment before the trial resumes.

The treason case is scheduled to return before Justice Baguma on August 18.

Days ago, a PFF Leader was Detained for Wandering Near Dr Besigye’s ICU Ward. He Said He Had Gone to Check on Patient on the Same Hospital Floor, as reported Here.