Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye collapses in treason trial, moved to ICU
Kizza Besigye, a veteran Ugandan opposition figure, collapsed in the dock during his treason trial in Kampala’s High Court on 29 July 2026. After shouting “stop” repeatedly, he fell backward and was taken away in an ambulance. He was later transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital’s intensive‑care unit, where his wife Winnie Byanyima said he is unconscious, unable to speak and unresponsive to pain.
Besigye has been detained without bail since November 2024 after being arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Uganda. He faces treason charges that carry the death penalty. His main lawyer, Erias Lukwago, has been arrested and charged with misprision of treason, and his lead counsel Martha Karua was barred from entering the country. Besigye’s wife and the Uganda Law Society have demanded that he be allowed to see his personal doctor and receive proper medical care. President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has alleged that Besigye plotted to kill his father.
Entities: Erias Lukwago · Kizza Besigye · Muhoozi Kainerugaba · Winnie Byanyima · Yoweri Museveni
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Besigye's main attorney, Erias Lukwago, has been arrested and charged with alleged failure to report acts of treason. (multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Besigye rejected state‑appointed lawyers, saying they lack experience for the treason case. (article 3b4ad31d-5443-4a92-9e06-dab3d1628b29)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prosecutors claim Besigye and others plotted to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Museveni's son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, alleged Besigye plotted to kill his father. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Besigye has been detained without bail for several months. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The treason charge against Besigye carries the death penalty. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kizza Besigye, 69, collapsed in court during his treason trial on Wednesday. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Besigye's wife, Winnie Byanyima, says his health is failing and he lacks access to a doctor of his choice. (multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba alleged Besigye plotted to kill President Yoweri Museveni. (7cfcad6c-ef4c-4768-94a0-55b660013e80)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Besigye’s main attorney, Erias Lukwago, has been arrested and charged with misprision of treason. (7cfcad6c-ef4c-4768-94a0-55b660013e80, 12791634-40a6-42f6-8f3b-82734623acf8, 3d3d86d8-ef06-491a-ad73-de2eb8390595)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Besigye has been detained without bail since November 2024 after being arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Uganda. (7cfcad6c-ef4c-4768-94a0-55b660013e80, a8394f26-522f-4780-91d4-6e674f1c1005, ddcda90b-9271-4989-85b5-779de69856bb, 127916)
- [● 3 SOURCES] After collapsing, Besigye was taken to an ambulance and later transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital ICU, where he is unconscious and unresponsive to pain. (a8394f26-522f-4780-91d4-6e674f1c1005, 7373a0c6-7030-48f4-ae2b-49905699ac0d, 3d3d86d8-ef06-491a-ad73-de2eb8390595)