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Uganda’s veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye remains in a worrying health condition, with his doctors and political allies calling for prayers and urgent medical attention.
Besigye’s party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), has raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding his treatment after he collapsed during court proceedings.
PFF leaders claim that Besigye’s condition worsened because he did not receive immediate medical attention after collapsing before Justice Emmanuel Baguma.
Speaking during a media briefing, PFF Vice President for Western Uganda Dr Nicholas Kamara said Besigye remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
Kamara, who identified himself as a consultant physician, said he and other doctors were present when Besigye collapsed in court and wanted to attend to him but were allegedly denied access.
According to him, Besigye collapsed shortly after midday and was taken to the court basement, where he reportedly stayed for close to two hours without medical assistance.
“We asked to intervene, but we were refused. We don’t know what happened in that basement because we were not allowed there,” Kamara said.
He questioned why Besigye was not immediately taken to a hospital after collapsing instead of being returned to Luzira Prison.
Kamara claimed that the first ambulance that arrived was only for transportation and did not have a medical team on board.
He said another ambulance from Uganda Prisons also arrived without sufficient medical support before a nurse later joined.
The doctor alleged that Besigye was first taken to Luzira Prison before being transferred to Mbuya Military Hospital and later Mulago Hospital after his condition became serious.
PFF leaders argued that the delay in accessing medical care may have affected Besigye’s recovery.
They are demanding explanations from court and prison authorities over what happened between the time he collapsed and when he eventually reached hospital.
Kamara said Besigye has not improved as expected and called for specialised treatment outside Uganda if necessary.
PFF National Chairperson Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa described Besigye’s condition as painful for his family, supporters and the opposition party.
He said Besigye suffered a serious health setback and is struggling to communicate and understand what is happening around him.
Birigwa urged the government to ensure that Besigye receives proper medical care and allow him to seek treatment abroad if doctors recommend it.
The party’s legal team also announced plans to petition court to allow Besigye to travel abroad for specialised treatment.
PFF lawyer Moses Tugume argued that Besigye’s health condition raises questions about whether his trial can continue under the current circumstances.
He maintained that the rights of an accused person, including access to proper legal representation and participation in court proceedings, must be protected.
Meanwhile, PFF leaders have continued appealing to Ugandans to pray for Besigye as he battles his health challenges.
They insist that his condition requires urgent attention and that his wellbeing should come before any other matter.
