Reports claiming that jailed opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye’s health has seriously declined are false, according to the Uganda Prisons Service. Over the weekend, social media was flooded with messages suggesting the 69-year-old former presidential candidate was too weak to support himself, sparking concern among his supporters.
Some users warned that Besigye’s alleged poor health could trigger political unrest. “If Dr Besigye dies in prison (God forbid), it will mark the beginning of the real revolution,” wrote one social media user, Gideon Kwikiriza.
However, the Prison Service, through spokesperson Senior Commissioner Frank Baine Mayanja, dismissed the reports as misinformation spread by Besigye’s lawyers. “Besigye has no problem as far as I am concerned; it’s the same story since last November that he is sick, but he’s fine,” Baine told Pulse Uganda.
Baine explained that the claims about Besigye’s condition came from his legal team, not prison authorities. “They say he is sick, that he is going to die in prison… if he were going to die, he would be long dead,” he added.
Concerns about Besigye’s health were recently raised by his lawyers, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. They said the former presidential candidate was in a critical state and unable to move after missing a High Court Criminal Division session, where he and co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale were to take pleas on treason charges. The hearing has been adjourned to October 1.
“It is sad Besigye is not here,” Lukwago said. “When we visited him, he was in a room and couldn’t leave. He is not well. Hajji Obeid Lutale told us he is experiencing dizziness, and by evening yesterday, no one could see him. Let us pray that he gets better.”
The Prison Service also denied claims that Besigye’s visitation rights were restricted. “The claim that his visitation has been restricted is false because even last Friday, he was visited,” Baine said, assuring the public that Besigye is receiving standard care while in custody.
The post “That’s Almost Nonsense From His Lawyers” Uganda Prison Denies Claims That Besigye Is Too Weak To Even Talk Or Stand appeared first on The Nile Monitor.