Veteran Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye was urgently transferred from Luzira Maximum Security Prison to a private medical facility at Bugolobi Village Mall late Monday night, amid growing alarm over his deteriorating health, political allies say.
The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a political movement aligned with Besigye, said it received “credible reports” that the 69-year-old former four-time presidential candidate was rushed to the clinic under heavy security after his condition significantly worsened during detention.
In a statement shared on social media, the PFF described Besigye’s health as “critical and deteriorating,” and accused government and prison authorities of denying him proper medical care and violating his constitutional rights. The party reiterated calls for Besigye to be allowed immediate and unrestricted access by his personal physicians and family members.
“We hold the regime and the prison authorities fully accountable for his well-being,” the statement said, urging supporters to remain vigilant and prayerful as the situation develops.
Besigye has been in custody since November 2024, following his abduction in Kenya and subsequent charges related to alleged treason and other serious offenses, which his supporters describe as politically motivated attempts to sideline him ahead of the 2026 general elections.
His health issues have been a matter of public concern for months, with earlier reports indicating he appeared frail in court and had suffered from hunger and other ailments while detained. Human rights groups and medical professionals have repeatedly called on authorities to ensure he receives proper health care.
As of now, prison authorities and the Uganda Prisons Service have not released an official statement regarding Besigye’s condition or the circumstances of his transfer.
