Kizza Besigye remains in custody facing treason charges in Uganda

Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader and former personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni, remains in custody facing treason charges. Besigye, who has been a leading critic of Museveni since breaking from the ruling party in 1999, has faced repeated arrests, house arrest, and exile throughout his political career.

Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and leader of the Geneva-based UNAIDS, has called for his release to allow him access to necessary medical treatment. She noted that Besigye was recently admitted to intensive care after collapsing but was returned to prison. Byanyima warned that the Ugandan government tends to treat political challengers as criminals, stating, “You challenge President Museveni and the whole might of the state will be turned against you.”

Besigye’s political history includes leading the Forum for Democratic Change and contesting several presidential elections. His recent legal troubles involved an alleged abduction in Kenya before he resurfaced in Uganda to face trial.