The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has raised questions over the circumstances under which its founding leader, Kizza Besigye, was handled after collapsing in court recently, with one of his doctors alleging that prison and court authorities blocked medical intervention before eventually taking him to prison instead of a hospital.
Addressing the media on Friday, after allegedly a recent visit to bedridden Besigye at Mulago National Referral Hospital, PFF Vice President for Western Uganda, Dr. Nicholas Kamara, who identified himself (during the Friday press conference) as a licensed consultant physician, said Besigye remains admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a very worrying state. View the full media address by clicking on this video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOgBPTGZg1k&t=48s.
Kamara said he, together with fellow doctors Dr. Lulume Baiga and Dr. Olive Kobusingye (also Besigye’s biological sister) was present in court on the day Besigye collapsed but their attempts to attend to him were rejected by both court and prison authorities.
According to Kamara, Besigye collapsed shortly after midday before being taken into the court basement or holding cells, where he remained for nearly two hours without medical attention.
“We asked to intervene, but we were refused. We don’t know what happened in that basement because we were not allowed there. What we know is that there were no medical personnel attending to him,” Kamara said.
He further claimed that the first ambulance that arrived belonged to the Ministry of Health but was merely a basic transport vehicle without a nurse or medical team. A second ambulance from Uganda Prisons also reportedly arrived with only a driver before a nurse joined later.
Kamara questioned why Besigye was not immediately taken to any of Kampala’s major hospitals despite the availability of several health facilities.
“Instead of taking him to Mulago or any other hospital, they took him to Luzira Prison. It was only around 8 p.m, after they realized the situation had become too serious, that he was transferred to Mbuya Military Hospital before being taken to Mulago Hospital,” he said.
The politician and doctor accused court and prison of medical negligence, arguing that the delayed medical response may have worsened Besigye’s condition.
“We believe that had they evacuated our patient in time, he would not be in the condition he is today,” Kamara added, further demanding that court officials, prison authorities and the Judiciary publicly explain what transpired between the time Besigye collapsed and his eventual admission to Mulago Hospital several hours later.
Kamara further disclosed that Besigye has not shown the level of recovery doctors would ordinarily expect.
“Somebody who has been treated well by this time should have improved. We are therefore calling for his evacuation outside Uganda for specialised treatment because his condition remains worrying.”
PFF National Chairperson Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa described Besigye’s condition as one of the most painful moments the party has experienced, saying both his family and supporters are going through an extremely difficult period.
“We have just come from checking on our doctor. The situation is extremely difficult. It is difficult for Dr. Besigye’s family, for the PFF family and for everyone who loves him,” Birigwa said.
He revealed that although many Ugandans have seen Besigye appearing in court, few know the suffering he endures afterwards.
“Our doctors have told us he suffered a shock. Since then, he has not recovered properly. Dr. Besigye does not understand what is happening around him. He is unable to speak.”
Birigwa confirmed that Besigye remains in the ICU, where access has been restricted because of his medical condition. He said PFF leaders had met Mulago Hospital administrators, who confirmed that Besigye was receiving treatment.
Birigwa also criticized what he termed misinformation surrounding Besigye’s health, urging those spreading unverified claims to stop.
“We appeal to the Government of Uganda to ensure he receives proper medical care. If necessary, he should be allowed to seek treatment abroad,” he said, before calling upon Ugandans to continue praying for the veteran opposition leader.
The party’s Attorney General, Moses Tugume KB, announced that PFF would petition court to permit Besigye’s evacuation abroad for specialized treatment, arguing that his life should take precedence over ongoing criminal proceedings.
Tugume maintained that Besigye’s deteriorating health now makes it impossible for the trial to proceed lawfully.
Citing Article 28 of the Constitution, he argued that every accused person has the right to legal representation of their choice and must be present throughout trial unless they voluntarily waive that right.
He faulted Justice Baguma’s court for assigning state lawyers after Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale, reportedly rejected them, insisting that the Constitution and the Advocates Act do not permit lawyers to represent accused persons without their consent.
He also argued that the provisions of the Poor Persons Act, under which courts may assign legal aid, could not apply to Besigye and Lutale because both are capable of engaging private lawyers and also pay them on their own.
Tugume alleged that the legal team chosen by Besigye had been systematically targeted, claiming that Senior Counsel Martha Karua (Kenya) was deported from Uganda, Senior Counsel Erias Lukwago was abducted, while lawyer Eron Kiza is on the run.
He further criticized the Judiciary for fixing hearing dates before determining an application seeking protection for Besigye’s lawyers.
The PFF legal chief also revisited former lord mayor, also party president Erias Lukwago’s unsuccessful bail applications, arguing that previous medical reports from several physicians had already demonstrated that he required urgent treatment outside prison.
According to Tugume, the party will continue filing applications seeking both Besigye and Lukwago’s release and permission for specialized treatment abroad.
Beyond Besigye’s case, Tugume also renewed demands for authorities to account for missing activist Sam Mugumya, saying it has now been more than a year since his disappearance.
He criticized the Uganda Human Rights Commission (AUHRC) for failing to invoke its constitutional powers to investigate allegations of illegal detention and torture, insisting that authorities must either produce Mugumya alive or explain his whereabouts.
PFF leaders said they would continue pursuing legal avenues to secure Besigye’s treatment abroad while demanding accountability over the events that unfolded after he fainted in court, insisting that the questions surrounding the several-hour delay before his admission to Mulago remain unanswered. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
