Opposition Demands Answers After Besigye Reportedly Collapses in Court

What the report says

Nile Post reported that leaders of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) are demanding explanations from the government, the judiciary and the Uganda Prisons Service after opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye reportedly collapsed during court proceedings on Wednesday. Speaking to journalists in Kampala, the PFF leaders questioned what happened in court and how Besigye was handled afterward.

According to the report, the opposition leaders alleged that Besigye collapsed after objecting to the continuation of proceedings. They further claimed that prison officers restrained him before he became unconscious, and that colleagues who said they were medically qualified were not allowed to assist him. The group also alleged that Besigye was first taken to Mbuya Military Hospital and later transferred to the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital.

PFF Deputy President Lulume Bayiga said the incident raised urgent concerns and called for clarity on Besigye’s health, his whereabouts and why family members and associates were allegedly denied access. He also criticised the conduct of the court session, saying constitutional issues raised by Besigye were disregarded and that access for the media and public was restricted.

The opposition leaders urged the Chief Justice to intervene on transparency and fairness in the proceedings, and asked the Uganda Prisons Service to issue an official health update and allow access to Besigye by his family, lawyers and colleagues. Nile Post said that, at the time of publication, it had not received an official response from the judiciary, prisons authorities or government on the allegations.