By Mercy Baluka and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan government has dismissed media reports claiming that jailed opposition politician, Rtd Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, is starving in prison.
Over the past two weeks, media outlets have been awash with reports alleging that Dr. Besigye embarked on a hunger strike after being denied food from his family and friends, as well as restricted access to his family, doctors, and legal team.
However, the government dismissed these claims, labeling them as propaganda and baseless speculation.
Speaking to journalists at Media Centre on Tuesday, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the minister of ICT and National Guidance clarified that Dr. Besigye and his associate, Hajji Obeid Lutale, are receiving fair treatment at Luzira Prison and are permitted to receive food from three designated family members.
“The reports circulating in the media are false. Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale are not being mistreated in any way. They are allowed to receive food from family members, and their welfare is being managed in accordance with the law,” Dr. Baryomunsi stated.
Additionally, Baryomunsi stated that Besigye and his co-accused are permitted to access their personal doctors and health facilities within the prison, contrary to reports circulating in the media.
“Doctor Kizza Besigye is able to access his personal doctors and also he is happy with services of the medical services of the prison services because we have a well established medical service within the prison facilities and he has no issue with the doctors and health workers within the prison services so there is no cause for alarm,” he said.
Dr. Besigye is currently on remand in Luzira Prison facing treason charges, including allegations of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. According to reports, the offenses were allegedly committed in Nairobi, Kenya, before Besigye and Lutale were abducted, deported to Uganda, and subsequently charged in a military court.
Dr. Baryomunsi also appealed to the judiciary to consider granting Dr. Besigye bail, emphasizing that the right to bail is fundamental and should not be denied to any Ugandan.
“In my view, he [Besigye] should be able to apply for bail if he wishes and of course the granting of bail is a discretion the judicial service officers, but I don’t see any reasons he should be denied bail,” he added.
Besigye’s case continues to draw both national and international attention about the legality of trying civilians in military courts, a practice lawyers and human rights defenders argue violates fundamental principles of justice and fairness.
