The health of Ugandan opposition titan Dr. Kizza Besigye has become a diplomatic and humanitarian flashpoint. A Ugandan court has coldly rejected a desperate plea by his wife, Winnie Byanyima, to transfer him to a private hospital, despite reports that he is "extremely weak," unable to walk, and suffering from a severe infection in military detention.

Besigye, who was brazenly abducted from Nairobi in November 2024 in an incident that strained Kenya-Uganda relations, has been held incommunicado for months. His deteriorating condition has sparked outrage across East Africa, with rights groups accusing the Museveni regime of a slow-motion assassination by medical neglect.

"They Want Him Dead"

Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, did not mince her words. "He is being held in a dirty, hot cell with a bedbug-infested mattress," she revealed after a rare visit. "They are denying him healthcare. They want to kill him." Her request was simple: allow Besigye’s personal doctor to treat him at a facility with proper diagnostic equipment.

However, the military court in Makindye ruled that the prison medical services were "sufficient," a claim Byanyima dismisses as a "cover-up." She reported that Besigye is vomiting, dehydrated, and in agonizing stomach pain—symptoms that require immediate specialized care, not the basic first aid available in the barracks.

• The Abduction: Besigye was snatched from an apartment in Nairobi’s Riverside estate, drugged, and smuggled across the border—a violation of Kenyan sovereignty that Nairobi has largely remained silent on.
• The Charges: He faces treason charges in a military court, despite being a civilian, for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
• The silence: The Kenyan government’s continued silence on the fate of a high-profile figure abducted from its capital is growing increasingly loud.

A Regional Embarrassment

The refusal to grant medical bail to a 69-year-old statesman is a stark reminder of the shrinking democratic space in the region. Dr. Besigye, once President Museveni’s personal physician, has been arrested dozens of times, but his current ordeal is the most life-threatening yet. The image of a frail, ailing Besigye being denied treatment is a PR nightmare for Kampala, but Museveni appears unmoved.

"This is torture, plain and simple," said human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo. "Denying a prisoner medical care is a crime under international law."

The Nairobi Connection

For Kenyans, the Besigye saga is a disturbing mirror. It raises uncomfortable questions about the safety of exiles in Nairobi and the extent of security cooperation between the two East African neighbours. If a figure as prominent as Besigye can be kidnapped and allowed to rot in a foreign jail, what protections exist for ordinary citizens? As Besigye’s health hangs in the balance, so does the moral standing of the region’s leadership.