Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Uganda’s opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, has raised fresh concern over his health and detention conditions at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, saying he is being deliberately denied proper medical care despite his deteriorating condition.
She disclosed that prison authorities have refused to allow him to receive care at a private medical facility, forcing his personal doctor to repeatedly travel to Luzira to attend to him.
Byanyima described grim detention conditions, alleging that Besigye is held in a dark, overcrowded and unhygienic cell that undermines his recovery.
She said he had eaten only a small portion of food over several hours and required support to move short distances within the prison.
“This is not care. This is punishment,” Byanyima said, arguing that her husband is being subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment despite the presumption of innocence under the law.
She questioned why Besigye has been denied bail four times, insisting that his continued detention places his life at risk.
The former Forum for Democratic Change leader has been a central figure in Uganda’s opposition politics for decades and a frequent critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
His detention has previously drawn condemnation from human rights groups and sections of the international community.
Byanyima directly blamed President Museveni and the army commander, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, for Besigye’s suffering, holding them accountable for decisions affecting his health and safety.
She also appealed to Ugandans, medical professionals, religious leaders and international actors to speak out, warning that silence would amount to complicity.
Government and prison authorities had not publicly responded to her claims by the time of publication.