Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been hospitalised after refusing to eat for days, raising concerns about his deteriorating health.
Besigye, a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has been held at a high-security prison in Kampala since November.
His lawyers claim he was forcibly taken from Kenya, where he had travelled, and brought back to Uganda to face military charges, including possession of illegal weapons.
Francis Mwijukye, an opposition lawmaker, confirmed that Besigye was taken to a clinic in the Bugolobi area under heavy security.
“Amidst very heavy security deployment, Dr Besigye has been brought to a clinic at Bugolobi Village Mall,” Mwijukye wrote on X.
Local broadcaster NTV Uganda also reported that security forces had surrounded the facility, with a family member describing his condition as “not in a good situation, the situation is bad.”
Public concern over Besigye’s health has been growing, especially after his court appearance on Friday, where he looked frail, struggled to walk, and had difficulty speaking. His lawyers had earlier warned that his condition was getting worse in detention.
Many Ugandans, including opposition leader Bobi Wine and a medical association, have taken to social media to demand his release and full medical access.
In response to mounting pressure, Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi announced that authorities were working on transferring Besigye’s case to a civilian court.
This follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that civilians should not be tried in military courts, declaring it unconstitutional.
