Dr Kizza Besigye in a Mobile Prison vehicle Photo/ Courtesy
Political activist Harold Kaija has shared details of a recent visit to veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye at Upper Prison in Luzira, describing a man he says remains mentally resilient despite prolonged detention and deteriorating physical condition.
In a statement reflecting on the visit, Kaija said Besigye has now spent 558 days behind bars, where he is being held under tight security conditions.
He described seeing the former presidential candidate confined in what he termed a “mobile prison” during transit, highlighting what he said were harsh conditions, including long hours without shade or relief.
“In the photo below, you see the Leader trapped inside a mobile prison on a scorching afternoon, locked away for nearly 10 hours with no shade, no respite,” Kaija stated.
Kaija, who has been a close associate and political ally within opposition circles, said his visits to Luzira Prison have become moments of reflection on the country’s political direction and the state of dissent in Uganda.
He noted that despite the emotional weight of the situation, he continues to meet Besigye regularly.
“When the weight of everything feels too heavy, I don’t run away. I go to Upper Prison Luzira. Because somehow, his strength finds me there,” he said.
According to Kaija, his most recent meeting with Besigye took place last Friday. He described the opposition figure as visibly frail, attributing the condition to the long period of incarceration.
However, he maintained that Besigye’s mental clarity and political conviction remained intact.
“Last Friday I visited him. He was frail, his body bearing the cost of 558 days in jail. But his mind was sharp, his voice steady,” Kaija said, adding that they discussed Uganda’s political trajectory and possible future developments.
Kaija further stated that Besigye did not express optimism about the immediate future, instead offering a sober assessment of the country’s direction. He quoted him as saying: “The times ahead will be hard.”
He added that Besigye acknowledged difficulties both for himself in detention and for supporters outside prison walls, but maintained a commitment to his political beliefs.
“Hard for him in there. Hard for us out here. But even in chains, he’s still fighting for the future he believes we deserve,” Kaija said.
Besigye, a four-time presidential contender, has been a central figure in Uganda’s opposition politics for over two decades.
His continued detention has remained a subject of debate among political actors and human rights advocates, though authorities have maintained limited public comment on the specifics of his case.