Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and wife of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has raised concerns about her husband’s deteriorating health while he remains detained in Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
In a post on her X account, Byanyima expressed her worry, saying, “My son Anselm and I are extremely concerned about the health of Kizza Besigye. We accuse the government of President Kaguta Museveni of illegally detaining him and demand his immediate release.”
This comes after Besigye’s legal team visited the prison, where they raised alarm about his health and the lack of proper medical care.
Besigye’s lawyers, including lawyer Erias Lukwago, raised the alarm following their visit to Luzira Prison on 12th February. According to Lukwago, Besigye’s health is in a critical condition, with unexplained spikes in his blood pressure, which have become increasingly concerning.
Despite these serious symptoms, Besigye has not been allowed to see his personal doctors. Instead, only in-house prison doctors, whom Lukwago describes as “ill-equipped,” have been monitoring his condition.
Lukwago also pointed to the government’s failure to implement a Supreme Court ruling as a key reason for Besigye’s deteriorating health. He is calling for the judiciary to act swiftly to compel the government to follow the court’s order and prioritise Besigye’s urgent medical needs.
The situation has led Besigye to go on a hunger strike in protest of his detention. Lukwago stated that Besigye’s frustration has reached a point where he has considered this drastic step due to the ongoing injustice and the government’s failure to follow the Supreme Court ruling.
Besigye’s legal team filed for habeas corpus, a legal petition requesting that Besigye’s unlawful detention be addressed. Lukwago pointed out the seriousness of this petition, as it involves the violation of Besigye’s civil rights.
The lawyers are calling for an expedited hearing of the habeas corpus application, stressing that Besigye’s legal and personal rights should be protected as a matter of urgency.
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