Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, has expressed fears of being poisoned while in Luzira Prison, prompting him to cook his own meals, according to a report presented by Parliament’s Human Rights Committee.
Fox Odoi, the Committee Chairperson, revealed the findings during a session in Parliament, detailing Dr. Besigye’s living conditions under solitary confinement in Luzira Prison, where he is being held on charges of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms.
“Dr. Besigye informed the Committee that he refuses to eat the food provided by the prison out of fear of being poisoned. He cooks his own meals, as does his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale, who relies on three authorized suppliers for his provisions,” Odoi stated.
The Committee’s report described Besigye’s confinement as a “prison within a prison,” with his highly restricted section requiring passage through five gates to access his cell. The North Wing, where he is held, accommodates only 18 prisoners.
Besigye reportedly expressed concerns over unexplained late-night activities, such as padlocks being opened and closed without anyone entering his cell. In one instance, after midnight, two of the four doors to his cell were opened, prompting him to shout in alarm. He later received conflicting explanations, including claims of forgotten items and routine inspections.
“He fears being harmed in such an environment, especially since the state is both the complainant and the custodian of the prison,” said Jonathan Odur, MP for Erute South, in a minority report
Besigye lamented that he is barred from interacting with fellow inmates and is not allowed to attend communal prayers, restrictions that lawmakers argue violate Section 57(c) of the Prisons Act, 2006.
“The Uganda Human Rights Commission noted that solitary confinement, when used excessively or under harsh conditions, can amount to a violation of human rights due to its detrimental effects on mental health and well-being,” Odur added.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, defended the decision to isolate Besigye, citing security concerns.
“Dr. Besigye is isolated for his safety and to prevent him from exciting other inmates, which could lead to situations spiraling out of control,” Byabashaija explained.
Lawmakers, including MPs Francis Zaake, Flavia Nabagabe, and Odur, urged Parliament to take Dr. Besigye’s fears seriously and address the conditions under which he is being held.
“This is a matter of human rights. His fears should not be dismissed, and his conditions must be reviewed to ensure compliance with the law,” Zaake emphasized.
Despite acknowledging significant improvements in Luzira Prison’s infrastructure, including the abolition of the bucket system and the installation of waterborne toilets, Besigye underscored that his personal safety remains a critical concern.
The Human Rights Committee’s findings have reignited debates over prison conditions and the treatment of political detainees in Uganda.
