Besigye Unable to Speak; Not Responding to Pain Stimulus in Mulago ICU — Spouse Winnie Byanyima

KAMPALA — Veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye is unconscious and unable to speak while receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Mulago Hospital, with his spouse, Winnie Byanyima, saying he is also not responding to pain stimuli.

Byanyima, Besigye’s spouse, issued the worrying update as the veteran opposition leader remains under intensive medical care following his collapse in court.

“He is unconscious at the ICU in Mulago hospital.”

She said Besigye’s condition had left him unable to communicate and unresponsive even to pain stimulus.

“He has been admitted to the ICU at Mulago Hospital. He is unconscious, unable to speak, and unresponsive even to a pain stimulus.”

Byanyima’s statement is the most detailed update yet from Besigye’s immediate family on his condition following his dramatic collapse during court proceedings.

She also appealed to Ugandans to pray for the veteran opposition leader while demanding justice over the circumstances surrounding his treatment.

“Please join me in praying for Dr Kizza Besigye and demanding justice.”

Besigye rushed to Mulago after collapsing in court

Besigye was taken to Mulago Hospital after collapsing in court as proceedings in his case continued.

His collapse immediately triggered concern among his family, lawyers and political allies, who had been raising questions about his health and access to his preferred medical team.

The veteran opposition leader was subsequently admitted to the ICU at Mulago, according to Byanyima and several opposition politicians who issued updates on his condition.

Doreen Nyanjura, the former Kampala Capital City Deputy Lord Mayor, said Besigye’s sister and personal doctor, Dr Olive Kobusingye, had been granted access to him.

“Dr. Kizza Besigye has been admitted to the ICU at Mulago Hospital. His sister and personal doctor, Dr. Olive Kobusingye, has now been granted access. KB is still unconscious.”

Nyanjura added:

“Hang in there KB, we your soldiers shall be with you to the end.”

Besigye’s personal doctor granted access

Ingrid Turinawe also confirmed Besigye’s admission to the ICU and said his sister and personal doctor had been allowed to see him.

“Confirmed: Dr. KB has just been taken to Mulago Hospital. His personal Doctor who is his sister Dr. Olive Kobusingye has just been allowed to access him. He has been put in ICU, and he is still unconscious.”

Turinawe appealed for prayers for the veteran opposition leader.

“Ugandans, let’s continue to ask God to intervene in this situation.”

Dr Lulume Bayiga, meanwhile, said Besigye arrived at Mulago amid a heavy military deployment.

“Dr Besigye was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. He arrived with heavy Military deployment at around 2020hrs.”

Bayiga questioned the circumstances surrounding access to Besigye while he was in intensive care.

“These fellows have no remorse or sensitivity to the family and the most concerned. How can you have Besigye in ICU without involving the people most concerned?”

Bobi Wine: Besigye still unconscious

National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, also said Besigye had remained unconscious since his collapse in court.

“We’re informed that since the time Dr. Besigye eventually collapsed in Court as the bogus trial went on, he is still unconscious.”

The latest reports place Besigye in intensive care at Mulago as his family and political allies continue to monitor his condition.

The veteran opposition leader’s collapse occurred during proceedings before Justice Emmanuel Baguma, with Besigye’s legal team objecting to the continuation of the trial.

Besigye had also rejected lawyers provided by the state, insisting on his own experienced legal team.

His medical condition has now become the immediate focus, with Byanyima’s latest statement describing a patient who is unconscious, unable to speak and, according to her account, unresponsive even to a pain stimulus.

The medical details in Byanyima’s statement have not been independently verified through a public medical report from Mulago Hospital or the Ministry of Health.

For now, Byanyima’s message is both an update on her husband’s condition and an appeal for prayers.

“Please join me in praying for Dr Kizza Besigye and demanding justice.”

You can read our earlier stories on Besigye’s health condition and admission in Mulago ICU Here and There.

Read about the events that happened before Besigye collapsed in court and his son’s letter to Museveni and Muhoozi Here and There.