KAMPALA, Uganda — Veteran Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye remains admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Mulago National Referral Hospital after collapsing during proceedings at the High Court on Wednesday 29, July 2026, prompting renewed concern over his health and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Court proceedings were suspended after Dr. Besigye reportedly lost consciousness while appearing before the High Court, where he is jointly charged with Hajji Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, said the former presidential candidate arrived at Mulago Hospital unconscious and in a critical condition.
“Please join me in praying for @kizzabesigye1 and demanding justice. He has been admitted to the ICU at Mulago Hospital. He is unconscious, unable to speak, and unresponsive even to a pain stimulus.”
The exact circumstances that caused Dr. Besigye’s collapse remain unclear.
According to Byanyima, Dr. Besigye cried out shortly before losing consciousness, claiming he was being hurt.
“Before he collapsed, he cried out that he was being injured. His sister, Dr Kobusingye, was in court but was not allowed to attend to him.”
Her account has intensified calls for an explanation of what transpired inside the courtroom before the medical emergency.
Long-time Dr. Besigye ally Ingrid Turinawe, who attended the proceedings, also questioned the events leading up to the collapse.
In a statement shared after the incident, Turinawe alleged that security personnel restrained Besigye inside the dock shortly before he lost consciousness.
“What exactly did they inject him? While he banged tables and protested in court, they invaded him in dock, chained his hands and legs. In process of chaining him he continuously shouted ‘you are hurting me’. Shortly after chaining him, that’s when he collapsed.”
Her allegation that Dr. Besigye may have been injected has not been independently verified, and neither the court, security agencies nor hospital authorities have confirmed that any injection was administered.
The collapse occurred shortly after prosecutors informed the court they were ready to proceed with the hearing and had a witness prepared to testify.
Before proceedings advanced, Dr. Besigye objected to the continuation of the trial, arguing that the court should first determine Application No. 248, which challenges the appointment of state-funded lawyers to represent him.
He maintained that he and his co-accused have the constitutional right to legal counsel of their own choosing.
The application, assigned to Simon Kinobe, is scheduled for a ruling on August 13.
Dr. Besigye also questioned the competence of the lawyers appointed to represent him and Lutale, arguing that the gravity of the charges required experienced criminal defence advocates.
Witnesses inside the courtroom said Dr. Besigye repeatedly protested during the proceedings before collapsing, forcing the court to halt the hearing as medical personnel responded.
Also Read: The betrayal of a comrade: Why Museveni must end the ‘endless injustice’ against Besigye
Dr. Besigye’s condition has triggered widespread concern among supporters and political allies, many of whom are demanding a full explanation of the events preceding his collapse.
By Wednesday 29, July 2026 evening, authorities had not issued a detailed medical update or official account explaining what caused the medical emergency.
The Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service and the Judiciary had also not publicly responded to allegations surrounding Besigye’s treatment inside the courtroom.
His continued admission to intensive care is likely to intensify scrutiny of his detention, trial and overall welfare as legal proceedings continue.
