Besigye evacuated from prison for medical care
Uganda Prisons Service has confirmed that veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago were again evacuated from Luzira Prison for medical attention at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC).
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine said on Monday that the two inmates were taken to JCRC by the prisons medical team, but dismissed reports circulating on social media that either was in critical condition.
Mr Baine said both men were stable and not in danger, adding that Mr Lukwago was expected to return to Luzira Prison yesterday.
“What is being done is part of a court order and recommendations of the Mulago team of experts,” Mr Baine said.
His comments followed reports that Dr Besigye and Mr Lukwago had separately been evacuated from Luzira after their health reportedly deteriorated.
On August 28, Dr Besigye’s wife, Ms Winnie Byanyima, said her husband had been transferred to JCRC after dark and described him as being in a weak condition.
“After dark, Dr @kizzabesigye1 was moved from Luzira Prison to JCRC hospital today. He is still very weak. He struggles to walk, speak, write or even hold anything steadily,” Ms Byanyima said in a post on X.
She appealed to authorities to allow Dr Besigye to return to Geneva for specialised medical treatment and to be with his family.
“He needs care, not cruelty. This is not justice. It is persecution,” she said.
Mr Baine, however, said any decision on Dr Besigye’s request to receive treatment outside prison was a matter for court and not the Uganda Prisons Service.
Besigye trial continues
Dr Besigye is facing treason charges alongside his political aide Obeid Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola.
The prosecution alleges that between 2023 and 2024, the accused participated in meetings in Geneva, Athens and Nairobi where they allegedly discussed plans to overthrow the Ugandan government by force of arms.
The accused have denied the allegations.
The amended indictment further alleges that Dr Besigye solicited and received money to facilitate the movement of people to Kenya for training connected to the alleged plot.
His trial has continued in his absence after his health deteriorated and he stopped attending proceedings following his collapse in the dock at the High Court in Kampala.
Dr Besigye had also objected to a decision to proceed with his trial without his preferred lawyers.
The decision to continue the proceedings in his absence followed representations by prison authorities that he had declined to attend court and had refused to participate virtually despite being offered the option.
The prosecution has since presented its first witness, British-American national Andrew Wilson, also known as Orlando, who has tendered audio and video recordings and made allegations linking Dr Besigye to the alleged plot.
Lukwago faces separate charge
Mr Lukwago, who has previously represented Dr Besigye as one of his defence lawyers, is facing a separate charge of misprision of treason.
His admission to JCRC comes as he pursues his own legal proceedings and remains associated with Dr Besigye’s defence.
The Prisons Service’s confirmation of the medical evacuations comes amid growing concern from Dr Besigye’s family and supporters over his health and ability to participate in the ongoing trial.
Mr Baine maintained that the medical interventions were being undertaken in accordance with court orders and recommendations made by the team of medical experts from Mulago.
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