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The High Court in Uganda has ordered prison authorities to return opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is also ill, to prison despite his continued deterioration in health.
His family and lawyers fear that the continued detention of the prominent politician, who has been on a hunger strike since last week, could endanger his health.
Speaking after the court hearing, Winnie Byanyima, wife of Dr. Kizza Besigye, said she was disappointed with the court’s orders.
“I came here expecting to leave with Dr. Kizza Besigye to take him home today, I am hurt but not shocked. Besigye is a hostage, he was kidnapped,” he told reporters.
Besigye and co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale had arrived at court in the capital Kampala for a hearing on an application filed by his lawyers seeking his release.
However, it was decided that Besigye was ill and unable to continue the hearing. He ordered that he be returned to prison where he has been held for nearly four months.
Besigye, a former personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested in mysterious circumstances in November last year in Nairobi along with his political aide, Obeid Lutale.
The two were later arraigned in a military court in Kampala, where they were charged with unlawful possession of weapons – a charge they have denied.
In a landmark ruling last month, Uganda’s Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional for military courts to hear civilian cases, and ordered the case to be transferred to civilian courts.
The decision angered President Museveni, who called it a “bad decision” and vowed to oppose it.
In a lengthy message on X, Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, accused the Supreme Court of ‘delaying Besigye’s case, following its decision.’
Meanwhile, opposition politicians led by former pop star Robert Kyagulanyi and the famous Bobi Wine are expected to hold a joint prayer session for Besigye and other political prisoners.
In a joint press conference, opposition leaders on Monday evening gave the government a 48-hour deadline to release their fellow politician Kizza Besigye and all political prisoners.
By: BBC
