Besigye Health Condition: Wife Winnie Byanyima Gives Update

Dr Kizza Besigye’s health condition has become a major concern after the veteran opposition leader collapsed in court and was taken away by ambulance before being returned to prison. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, says Besigye has since been taken to Mulago Hospital, but the family is demanding that he be allowed to see his personal doctor, who had examined him hours earlier and recommended urgent treatment at her clinic in Bugolobi.

Winnie Byanyima, the wife of detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, has given a fresh update on his condition after he collapsed during proceedings at the High Court in Kampala on Wednesday.

Byanyima said she was demanding that Besigye be taken to his personal doctor immediately, saying the doctor had already examined him and was concerned about his health.

“I am demanding that my spouse Dr [Kizza Besigye]is taken to see his personal doctor at her clinic in Bogolobi NOW,” Byanyima said.

Her demand came after Besigye collapsed in court while appearing before Justice Emmanuel Baguma as his treason case was due to proceed.

According to Byanyima, Besigye was taken away from court by ambulance but was subsequently returned to prison.

“He has collapsed in court and was returned to prison,” she said.

Byanyima said Besigye’s personal doctor had examined him in prison only about three hours earlier and had concluded that he needed urgent medical attention at her clinic.

“His doctor is concerned about his health,” she said.

She added that Besigye had made his position clear on where he wanted to receive medical care, saying he had insisted that he should not be treated at a government hospital.

“Dr [Kizza Besigye] has insisted NOT to be treated at a government hospital,” Byanyima said.

She attributed his position to his lack of trust in government institutions under President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

“He does not trust any institution under the control of [Yoweri Kaguta Museveni] and his son [Muhoozi Kainerugaba],” she said.

Despite the family’s demand that Besigye be taken to his personal doctor, Byanyima later said she had learnt that the opposition leader had been taken to Mulago Hospital.

“I have learnt that [Kizza Besigye]has been taken to Mulago Hospital,” she said.

Byanyima, however, warned that Besigye would not accept treatment from government officials.

“He will not allow any government official to touch him,” she said.

She further explained why the family was insisting on access to his personal doctor, saying the doctor had already assessed him and believed he required urgent treatment.

“His personal doctor examined him in prison just three hours ago, determined that he urgently needed treatment at her clinic, and has still not been allowed to care for him,” Byanyima said.

The disagreement over Besigye’s medical treatment comes against the backdrop of a broader dispute over his detention, legal representation and access to bail.

Byanyima accused the authorities of denying Besigye access to his lawyers, bail and his own doctor.

“Denying [Kizza Besigye] his lawyers. Denying him bail. Denying him access to his own doctor,” she said.

“These are injustices no family should have to endure.”

Besigye has rejected lawyers provided by the state and has insisted on being represented by his own experienced legal team, which has handled politically sensitive cases involving him.

His collapse in court has now added an urgent medical dimension to the continuing legal battle, with his family demanding that his preferred doctor be allowed to assess and treat him.

Byanyima concluded her statement by reaffirming the family’s position on the case and its demand for justice.

“We continue to demand justice for [Kizza Besigye],” she said.

The latest update leaves questions about Besigye’s condition after his collapse in court, the treatment he is receiving at Mulago Hospital and whether his personal doctor will ultimately be allowed to examine him.

For the family, however, the immediate demand remains clear: Besigye should be allowed access to the doctor he trusts and who, according to Byanyima, had already determined that he urgently needed medical treatment.

You can read our full briefing on what happened before Besigye collapsed in court Here.

Watch the moment Besigye collapsed in court, and was rushed to hospital Here and There.

Last week, there were claims that the State Mzungu Witness Andrew Orlando Wilson was a MERCENARY FOR HIRE who was Reportedly Paid $3m to Fake Evidence Against Besigye, as detailed Here. 

There were also claims that the Mzungu witness had destroyed the original audio recordings Here.