Museveni breaks silence on Besigye’s detention

Kampala: President Yoweri Museveni has addressed the growing concerns over the detention of veteran politician and opposition leader Dr. Kiiza Besigye, advising him to eat while in prison rather than resorting to hunger as a means to secure his release.

Besigye has been in detention since November 2024 on treason charges. However, concerns over his health have intensified in recent days. Visitors permitted to see him have reported that he appears frail, a concern reinforced by recent images of him in court.

Reports also emerged that Besigye collapsed earlier this week and was taken to a clinic in Bugolobi for medical attention.

This has fueled a wave of public outcry, with several political figures including Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Erias Lukwago, Doreen Nyanjura, and Winnie Kiiza leading campaigns advocating for his health and release.

The movement has gained traction beyond Uganda, reaching neighboring Kenya, where Besigye was initially apprehended.

Ugandans on social media have launched a coordinated campaign, posting messages demanding Besigye’s release on government officials’ social media accounts. This campaign appears to have caught President Museveni’s attention, prompting him to address the issue in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

Museveni acknowledged public concerns but emphasized the seriousness of the charges against Besigye. He argued that anyone advocating for stability in Uganda should first question the reasons behind his arrest. The President asserted that a swift trial would reveal the truth, but those demanding his release prematurely were risking national security.

He also criticized delays in the judicial process, stating that efforts were underway to transfer Besigye’s case to civilian courts, following a Supreme Court ruling that military courts lack jurisdiction over civilians.

Museveni questioned why Besigye’s legal team was focused on securing bail and clemency rather than pushing for a speedy trial to prove his innocence.

Addressing concerns about Besigye’s deteriorating health, Museveni assured the public that government health facilities in prison were available to him. He noted that Besigye’s personal doctors had visited him and that he had been granted access to private medical facilities when necessary.

The President dismissed fears about Besigye’s condition, attributing his health issues to a self-imposed hunger strike. He described this as a manipulative tactic, questioning why someone facing grave charges would refuse to eat instead of pursuing a swift legal resolution. He reiterated that, while the military court had been prepared to try him, they now had to wait for the civilian judicial process to take its course.

President Museveni’s complete statement regarding Besigye’s situation:-

“Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.

I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. Besigye for the very serious offences, he is alleged to have been planning. If you want a stable country, the more correct question, should be: “Naye Dr.Besigye bamukwatila ki? Why was Dr.Besigye arrested?” The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out. Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity which is very dangerous for the country. Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s.

Who slowed down the trial process? It is the Courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and they ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts. The concerned People are, therefore, working on two fronts.

Transfer the files to the Civilian Courts from the Military Courts and the Gov’t and the legislators to close the gaps in the Military Courts. If you are innocent, why do you not demand for a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are “persecuting” you instead of demanding bail, forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays?However, our strategy and doctrine are also based on accountability by the mistake makers ─ especially those who kill Ugandans.

We are now able to remember Janani Luwum, Benedicto Kiwanuka, Kiingo Chemonges, Edward Mutesa, etc., moving through a peaceful Uganda and travelling on good tarmac roads, because the freedom fighters sacrificed themselves and defeated Idi Amin and all the other killers.

We are not for vengeance but the danger of the killers must be removed. Therefore, the correct answer in the matter of Dr. Besigye is a quick trial.

On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a Gov’t hospital in the Prison. Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the Gov’t would be advised.

However, in this case, Dr. Besigye, was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were in the Newspapers. Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail, etc.? Why don’t you demand a quick trial? The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court.

Signed:

Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
President of the Republic of Uganda.”

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