By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Eng Winnie Byanyima, the wife of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, has accused Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni of attempting to orchestrate the “killing” of her husband while he is in prison, following reports of his rapidly declining health.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Byanyima, who is also the Executive Director of UNAIDS, claimed that Dr Besigye is being deliberately held under harsh conditions that could jeopardize his life. She further alleged that the Ugandan government, under the control of Museveni and his son, the army commander, is using the prison system to “silence” her husband, suggesting a plot to end his life.
“Prison is a front where Besigye is being imprisoned,” Byanyima said. “Museveni controls the courts and he wants him convicted so he can continue to hold him in prison, surrounded by military personnel. He wants to kill him.”
Byanyima’s remarks followed the recent medical crisis of Dr Besigye, who was rushed to a hospital after his health severely deteriorated while in detention.
According to Byanyima, Dr Besigye had suffered from acute stomach pain, high fever, and dehydration, and he had been unable to stand or walk without assistance when he arrived at the clinic. She described his condition as critical, adding that despite being treated with intravenous fluids and antibiotics, Dr Besigye’s health was still “fragile.”
The transfer of Dr Besigye to the clinic in Bugolobi reportedly took place under tight security and without prior notification to his family.
Byanyima voiced her frustration at the secrecy surrounding the entire process, claiming that prison authorities deliberately kept her in the dark about her husband’s condition.
“They rushed him to the hospital without informing me or any of his next of kin,” she said. “I found out through other sources and rushed to the clinic. He had already been treated, but his condition was still grave.”
In a particularly disturbing claim, Byanyima accused the Ugandan government of deliberately causing her husband’s suffering. “They want him dead,” she said, questioning why her husband had fallen ill while in prison under what she believes are harsh and inhumane conditions.
Byanyima’s comments also included a sharp rebuttal of claims made by government officials that Dr Besigye had ever plotted to harm President Museveni.
“These are fabricated lies,” she said. “If Dr Besigye had wanted to harm Museveni, he would have done so when he was his personal doctor during the Bush War. These allegations are part of a campaign to discredit him and justify his continued imprisonment.”
The allegations from Byanyima have added a new layer of tension to the political and legal battles surrounding Dr Besigye’s detention. Known as one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition leaders, Dr Besigye has been arrested multiple times by the Museveni government, sparking accusations of political persecution. His health has been a subject of growing concern, particularly after his recent medical emergency.
Human rights organizations and political analysts have long criticized the Ugandan government for its treatment of political prisoners, with many calling for greater transparency and access to medical care for detainees. Byanyima’s accusations now suggest a more sinister motive behind her husband’s imprisonment.
The government has yet to respond directly to Byanyima’s statements or address the serious health concerns regarding Dr Besigye. As of now, his supporters continue to demand his immediate release, citing both his deteriorating health and the politically motivated nature of his detention.
Dr Besigye’s supporters argue that the long-running detention of opposition figures like him is part of a broader pattern of silencing dissent and undermining political freedoms in Uganda.
Prison authorities have dismissed claims that opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye is in critical condition, saying he was briefly taken out of Luzira Prison for a routine medical review and later returned.
“Dr Besigye was rushed to the hospital for a health check-up follow-up with his doctor and was later returned to Luzira Prison,” Baine said, adding that his condition was stable.
While the Ugandan government has not commented on the allegations of foul play, Byanyima’s assertions have brought further scrutiny to the country’s handling of political prisoners and raised alarm about the potential for escalating tensions in the already fraught political climate.
