# Besigye detention, trial and health adjournment > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/besigye-detention-and-legal-crackdown > Updated: 2026-08-14T07:06:55.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 8. In June 2026, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that civilians could not be tried in military courts, yet the government responded by passing the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Amendment Act, reopening the possibility of military trials for civilians. Veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye remained detained on treason and firearms charges following his abduction in Nairobi. His legal defense faced significant setbacks, including the arrest of counsel Erias Lukwago and the deportation of Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua. On 30 July, Besigye collapsed in the dock while protesting the appointment of state-appointed lawyers, shouting “stop” before falling unconscious. He was admitted to the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, reported that he was initially unresponsive to pain and unable to speak or write. While he showed limited improvement, such as being able to consume soup after intravenous lines were removed, he was subsequently returned to prison custody. On 1 August, Justice Emmanuel Baguma suspended the trial, ordering an updated medical assessment and adjourning the case to 18 August to ensure trial fairness. By mid-August, Besigye remained in custody. Byanyima has continued to call for his release to ensure access to necessary medical treatment, warning that “You challenge President Museveni and the whole might of the state will be turned against you.” Besigye continues to reject court-appointed lawyers and accuses the state of withholding evidence. ## Claims - Kizza Besigye collapsed in the dock during his treason trial in Kampala on 29 July 2026. (disputed by 8 sources) - Kizza Besigye is 70 years old. (disputed) - He was admitted to Mulago National Hospital ICU after a sudden collapse on July 30. (disputed) - Besigye has been detained without bail since November 2024 after being arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Uganda. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Besigye's main attorney, Erias Lukwago, has been arrested and charged with alleged failure to report acts of treason. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Prosecutors claim Besigye and others plotted to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Besigye's wife, Winnie Byanyima, says his health is failing and he lacks access to a doctor of his choice. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The treason charge against Besigye carries the death penalty. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-14: Kizza Besigye remains in custody facing treason charges in Uganda Jailed Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye faces treason charges while his wife, Winnie Byanyima, calls for his release to receive medical care and warns of state repression against critics. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kizza-besigye-remains-in-custody-facing-treason-charges-in-uganda ### 2026-08-04: Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye's health stalls treason trial Opposition leader Kizza Besigye's collapse and hospitalization in Kampala have paused Uganda's treason trial, with the court adjourning the case to Aug 18 pending a medical report. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ugandan-opposition-leader-kizza-besigyes-health-stalls-treason-trial ### 2026-08-01: Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains in intensive care Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye, 70, is in ICU at Mulago Hospital after a collapse; he cannot speak or write, and a court awaits a medical fitness report. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ugandan-opposition-leader-kizza-besigye-remains-unconscious-in-icu-as-treason-trial-stalls ### 2026-07-29: Kizza Besigye Hospitalized in ICU After Collapsing During Treason Trial Ugandan opposition veteran Kizza Besigye collapsed in court during his treason trial, was rushed to Mulago Hospital's ICU and remains unconscious; his wife demands proper medical care as he faces death‑penalty‑ 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ugandan-opposition-leader-kizza-besigye-collapses-in-court-during-treason-trial ### 2026-07-13: Uganda opposition leader Besigye's treason trial stalls over lack of lawyers Uganda’s treason trial of opposition veteran Kizza Besigye was halted as judges ordered state‑funded lawyers after his defence team was arrested or barred. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uganda-opposition-leader-besigyes-treason-trial-stalls-over-lack-of-lawyers ### 2026-06-30: Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye protests trial fairness as lawyers are arrested Kizza Besigye lodged procedural fairness complaints in his Ugandan treason case as authorities arrested his lead lawyer and detained a Kenyan attorney, prompting Amnesty International criticism. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ugandan-opposition-leader-kizza-besigye-protests-trial-fairness-as-lawyers-are-arrested ### 2026-06-22: Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua denied entry to Uganda Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua was denied entry to Uganda on June 22 2026, labeled persona non grata and deported, sparking regional legal outcry as she was to support opposition treason cases. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kenyan-lawyer-martha-karua-barred-from-entering-uganda ### 2026-06-10: Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye stays jailed after Supreme Court bans civilian military trials Uganda’s Supreme Court barred civilian trials in military courts, but opposition leader Kizza Besigye remains imprisoned after being abducted from Kenya; he has sued General Muhoozi for threats and continues to 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uganda-opposition-leader-kizza-besigye-stays-jailed-after-supreme-court-bans-civilian-military-trial --- Cite as: Besigye detention, trial and health adjournment. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/besigye-detention-and-legal-crackdown