SHOW MERCY! Besigye’s Son Writes to Museveni and Muhoozi after His Father Collapsed in Court

KAMPALA — Adam Ampa Besigye, the son of veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, has appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to “show mercy, compassion, and humanity” towards his father following his dramatic collapse in court.

Ampa made the emotional appeal in a letter addressed to President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi after watching his father collapse during court proceedings in Kampala.

“Today, my heart broke as I watched my father Kizza Besigye collapse in court,” Ampa wrote.

“Regardless of politics, no son should have to witness his father reach such a state while standing before the very law he served and dedicating his life.”

Ampa said he was writing from the perspective of a son worried about his father’s deteriorating health, rather than as a political campaigner.

“I write to you not as a politician, but as a son,” Ampa said.

The appeal comes amid growing concern about Kizza Besigye’s health following his collapse in court, where he was appearing in connection with the legal proceedings against him.

Ampa asked President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi to look beyond their political differences with his father and consider releasing him.

“I respectfully ask you to show mercy, compassion, and humanity by allowing my father to regain his freedom,” Ampa wrote.

“My family firmly believes he is innocent of the allegations against him and has never sought to harm you or your family.”

‘He Has Stood by His Convictions’

Ampa acknowledged that his father has spent decades at the centre of Uganda’s often bitter political contest, including years of opposition to President Museveni.

But Ampa said Kizza Besigye’s political choices were driven by his convictions.

“Throughout his life, he has stood by his convictions and pursued political change through his beliefs, even when those beliefs have placed him in opposition to your government,” Ampa wrote.

Ampa said the deterioration of his father’s health should now create an opportunity to demonstrate that political disagreements do not have to end in tragedy.

“My father’s health continues to deteriorate,” Ampa said.

“Uganda risks losing not only one of its most recognized political figures but also an opportunity to demonstrate that justice is stronger than political rivalry.”

He added: “Whatever personal disagreements have existed over the years, they need not end in tragedy.”

‘Consider His Age, His Declining Health’

Ampa urged President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi to take into account Kizza Besigye’s age and declining health when considering his continued detention.

“I respectfully ask that you consider his age, his declining health, and the humanitarian concerns surrounding his continued detention,” Ampa wrote.

Ampa also asked that his father be given access to appropriate medical care and the protections provided under the law.

“Please allow him access to appropriate medical care and every protection afforded under the law,” Ampa said.

But Ampa’s strongest request was for his father’s release.

“Above all, I ask that you consider releasing him so he may return to his family and beloved ones,” Ampa wrote.

Ampa also directly referenced the circumstances of his father’s detention, writing: “It’s well known he’s in custody under your orders.”

The statement was part of Ampa’s appeal to President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi to intervene and consider allowing Kizza Besigye to regain his freedom.

‘I Do Not Wish to Inherit Bitterness’

Ampa said the experience of watching his father’s health deteriorate had not made him want to perpetuate the political bitterness that has characterised the relationship between Kizza Besigye and the government.

Instead, he said he wanted reconciliation.

“As his son, I do not wish to inherit bitterness,” Ampa wrote.

“I wish to see reconciliation.”

Ampa said he hoped Uganda could one day look back at its political conflicts and conclude that compassion had ultimately prevailed over confrontation.

“I hope that one day Ugandans of every political belief can look back and say that compassion prevailed over conflict,” he said.

The letter ended with a prayer for wisdom, peace, justice and unity.

“I pray that God grants you wisdom in the decisions before you and that He blesses Uganda with peace, justice, and unity,” Ampa wrote.

Kizza Besigye’s Court Collapse

Ampa’s appeal followed the dramatic collapse of Kizza Besigye during court proceedings in Kampala.

The incident has intensified concerns about the veteran opposition leader’s health and prompted renewed calls for him to receive appropriate medical attention.

Kizza Besigye’s legal case has become one of Uganda’s most closely watched political and human-rights battles, with his supporters maintaining that his detention and prosecution are politically motivated.

Besigye has also rejected lawyers provided by the state, insisting on his own experienced legal team to represent him in the serious case he faces.

The proceedings have unfolded amid a wider crackdown involving several opposition figures and members of Besigye’s legal and political circles, adding to concerns over whether he can effectively access the legal representation of his choice.

For Ampa, however, the immediate concern is his father’s health.

His appeal to President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi deliberately moves away from political confrontation and instead focuses on humanity, compassion and the possibility of reconciliation.

“Whatever personal disagreements have existed over the years, they need not end in tragedy,” Ampa wrote.

Ampa’s message is ultimately a plea from a son who says he does not want to inherit the bitterness of Uganda’s political battles.

“I do not wish to inherit bitterness,” he wrote.

“I wish to see reconciliation.”

And his request to the country’s leadership is clear: consider Kizza Besigye’s age, his deteriorating health and the humanitarian concerns surrounding his continued detention — and allow him to receive proper medical care and return home to his family.

Ampa’s appeal now places the question of Kizza Besigye’s health and freedom squarely before President Museveni and Gen Muhoozi, asking them to demonstrate that compassion can prevail even where political differences remain unresolved.

You can read an earlier update on Besigye’s health condition as given by his wife Winnie Byanyima Here.