Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has accused the Ugandan government of orchestrating a deliberate campaign to harm veteran politician Dr Kizza Besigye, who is currently admitted in intensive care following a collapse in court last week.
In a statement released on Saturday, August 1, the National Unity Platform (NUP) president claimed that the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s continued detention and deteriorating health point to a broader political scheme targeting dissenting voices.
“As Dr. Kizza Besigye lies in an ICU room, fighting for his life, let’s not forget that the stated intention of the Museveni regime is to murder him,” Kyagulanyi said.
Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni and four-time presidential contender, reportedly collapsed during court proceedings, raising fresh concerns over his health and the conditions of his detention.
Kyagulanyi further alleged that senior figures within government had previously made threatening remarks about Besigye’s fate.
“Museveni’s criminal son… has been clear that ‘Besigye will only leave prison in two ways. Either in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him or on his knees apologising to Mzee,’” he stated.
The NUP leader argued that the denial of bail and what he described as sustained pressure on Besigye’s legal team were part of a coordinated effort to weaken the opposition figure.
“That’s why they have denied him bail, dismantled his legal team, and hounded him left, right and centre,” Kyagulanyi added.
Kyagulanyi called on the international community and Ugandans to take action, warning of broader implications for the country’s political environment.
“The world must not stand by. What is happening in Uganda is catastrophic,” he said. “Let’s use every avenue to speak out, protest and agitate.”