Winnie Byanyima, the wife of veteran Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, has expressed deep concern over his deteriorating health, following her visit to his prison cell.
Byanyima described the conditions in which Besigye is being held as appalling, likening his detention to kidnapping rather than detention.
Speaking about her visit,she revealed that Besigye is extremely weak, has lost a significant amount of weight, and is experiencing dizziness after reportedly going without food for five days.
“Besigye is weak, has lost alarming weight, and is dizzy. He hasn’t eaten in five days. This is not just illegal detention; it is kidnapping,” Byanyima stated.
According to her, the cell is in a highly restricted section, requiring her to pass through seven locked gates in a dark and narrow corridor before reaching him.
“The room itself is small, with only a tiny bed, a pile of old newspapers, and two worn-out cardboard boxes. “
She noted that the area is allegedly reserved for suspected terrorists, making Besigye’s confinement all the more distressing.
“It was very painful to find Besigye in such humiliating circumstances,” she lamented.
Byanyima also condemned the recent visit by Minister of Information, Chris Baryomunsi, whom she accused of intruding on Besigye’s privacy.
She clarified that Besigye neither invited nor consented to meeting the minister, adding that he remained silent throughout the visit in protest.
“Besigye made it clear—he neither invited nor consented to seeing Mr. Baryomunsi. A prison officer forced him into the room. Mr. Baryomunsi lied about having a conversation. Besigye remained completely silent in protest,” she stated.
She further criticized Baryomunsi’s public claims that he had spoken with Besigye, calling it a blatant misrepresentation of what actually transpired.
Byanyima has now turned her attention to President Yoweri Museveni and the Chief of Defense Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, demanding Besigye’s immediate release.
“I am outraged and demand that President Kaguta Museveni and his son, the army chief, release him immediately. He is a citizen with rights—just like them!” she asserted.