National Unity Platform (NUP) president Bobi Wine has raised fresh concerns over the health of veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, following the circulation of a medical report detailing his condition after he collapsed in court.
Bobi Wine said the report, attributed to medical experts from Mulago Hospital, indicated that Besigye remained unable to speak or write more than three weeks after the incident.
“According to this report by experts from Mulago Hospital that is circulating online, Dr. Besigye is still unable to talk or write since he collapsed in court over 3 weeks ago,” Wine said.
The NUP leader questioned the decision to continue proceedings in Besigye's absence, claiming that the presiding judge, Emmanuel Baguma, proceeded with testimony from prosecution witnesses despite the medical concerns surrounding the former presidential candidate.
Wine described the witnesses as “the regime's mercenary-witnesses” and argued that Besigye's condition raised serious questions about his ability to participate effectively in his trial.
The medical assessment reportedly found that Besigye remained alert and could follow verbal instructions, but had significant difficulties with verbal and written communication. Doctors used an alternative communication method during the assessment, with Besigye responding by pointing to letters and numbers.
The assessment also identified chronic changes in the brain but found no evidence of an acute stroke or brain haemorrhage. Doctors stopped short of making a definitive determination on whether Besigye was fit to stand trial, noting that further assessment was necessary to establish his ability to participate fully in his defence.
Despite these findings, Wine accused the government of pursuing what he termed a deliberate effort to keep Besigye in prison regardless of his medical condition.
“The regime is determined to fulfill its promise that Dr. Besigye will only leave prison in a coffin, and Baguma is more than eager to facilitate his execution!” Wine alleged.
He further accused the government of undermining institutions responsible for administering justice and called on Ugandans to oppose what he described as injustice.
“With this brazen regime capture of the institutions supposed to protect justice, the responsibility falls on all of us as citizens to CONFRONT and REJECT the injustice using every lawful means at our disposal,” Wine said.
Besigye has been facing treason-related proceedings, with his health now emerging as a key issue in determining whether he can effectively participate in the case.