KAMPALA, UGANDA — The Ugandan government announced on Sunday its intention to discontinue the military trial of prominent opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, urging him to end his ongoing hunger strike while in detention. However, this offer was swiftly met with skepticism by Besigye’s wife, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, who deemed it “suspicious.”
Besigye, a former ally of President Yoweri Museveni who has since become a vocal critic, went on a hunger strike on February 10 to protest his imprisonment.
The government had previously charged Besigye with treason, alleging that his actions posed a threat to national security.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring that the military prosecution of civilians is unconstitutional, the government insisted on proceeding with the military trial.
Now, however, “the government is fast-tracking the transfer of Besigye’s case from the court martial to the Civil Court,” Cabinet Spokesperson and Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi told Vivid Voice News.
“As a Government, we are complying with the ruling of the Supreme Court,” he added.
The Minister, in an earlier message on X (formerly Twitter), revealed that he had visited Besigye in prison on Sunday alongside the latter’s personal physicians. During this visit, the Minister urged Besigye to resume food intake while awaiting the transfer.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the army had previously dismissed the court’s decision and maintained its intention to proceed with the military trial.
On Friday, Besigye appeared in court for a separate hearing, looking visibly frail, which sparked widespread outrage among his supporters.
When questioned by Vivid Voice News on Sunday, Byanyima expressed deep concern regarding her husband’s deteriorating health.
