Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been admitted to an intensive care unit in Kampala after collapsing unconscious during a court hearing in his ongoing treason case.
The 70-year-old politician became visibly unwell while objecting to the appointment of state lawyers to represent him during Wednesday’s proceedings at the High Court. Witnesses said Besigye repeatedly shouted “stop” before collapsing, prompting prison guards to take him to hospital.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, who leads UNAids, said Besigye was unconscious and unresponsive after the incident. In a statement shared on X, she said he was unable to speak and did not respond even when exposed to a pain stimulus.
Byanyima also said Besigye had complained that he was being injured shortly before losing consciousness. His sister, Olive Kobusingye, who is a doctor and his personal physician, was reportedly present in court but was initially prevented from treating him.
Besigye was taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda’s largest public hospital. However, his wife said he was unwilling to accept treatment from government medical personnel and called for him to be treated by his own doctor at a private facility.
The intensive care unit where Besigye is being treated is under heavy security, with armed officers reportedly guarding the area. His sister has since been allowed to see him, according to reports.
Besigye has been held in detention since November 2024 alongside his aide, Obeid Lutale. Both men deny charges that they plotted to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
The veteran opposition figure was dramatically abducted in Kenya in 2024 before being returned to Uganda, where he was subsequently detained. Treason is a capital offence in Uganda, meaning Besigye could face the death penalty if convicted.
His legal team has also faced significant difficulties. Lead lawyer Erias Lukwago was arrested last month and charged over allegations that he failed to report acts of treason. Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, who travelled to Uganda to represent Besigye, was also prevented from entering the country.
Besigye’s son, Adam Ampa, has appealed directly to President Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s army chief, to release his father on humanitarian grounds.
“Regardless of politics, no son should have to witness his father reach such a state while standing before the very law he served and dedicated his life,” Ampa wrote in an open letter shared on social media.
Another prominent opposition figure, Bobi Wine, described Besigye’s appearance in court while visibly ill as a “shocking violation of his most basic rights”.
Besigye previously served as Museveni’s personal doctor before breaking away politically in 1999. He went on to challenge Museveni for the presidency four times but did not contest the 2021 election and has been less active in politics in recent years.
For internal linking, you can link this article to your existing stories about Uganda politics, Kizza Besigye, Yoweri Museveni, Bobi Wine, or Uganda’s 2026 political developments. For external references, authoritative sources such as Reuters, Uganda’s judiciary, and official UNAids information can be linked where appropriate.
