Byanyima Says Besigye Is Seriously Ill in Prison

Winnie Byanyima, wife of jailed opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, has raised serious concerns over her husband’s health, accusing prison authorities of delaying and denying him medical care. She said she only saw Besigye after a week of restricted visitation, during which time he fell severely ill.

Byanyima explained that last Monday the prison was abruptly closed to visitors, a move she was told would last a week because of the elections. She said she requested permission to visit, but was only allowed to deliver food, and not to see her husband.

“Last Monday, the prison was closed to visitors, who were taken by surprise they said it would last a week because of the elections.” she said

She said that visitors are normally allowed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Nziria Upper Prison, a rule she said exists because the facility is severely congested.

Byanyima said that on Tuesday she was permitted to send food, but she was not allowed to see Besigye. She said it was only the following Monday that she was finally able to visit him, and she found him in a worrying condition.

“I went to see him and found him very ill he had acute stomach pain and his temperature was high he was severely dehydrated.” she explained

She said Besigye told her he had been ill since Saturday and had refused treatment from prison authorities, insisting instead on being examined by his personal doctor. Byanyima said it was only after repeated negotiations by Dr. Nandi Kanyerezi that the prison authorities allowed Besigye to be taken to her clinic.

“They did not allow this until quite late in the evening… they waited for darkness and they brought him to Dr. Nandi’s clinic in Bukolovi.”

Byanyima added that she was not notified by the prison authorities about the transfer, despite being Besigye’s next of kin. She said she only learned about it and rushed to the clinic, where doctors had already carried out tests and begun treatment.

She said Besigye was placed on a drip and given antibiotics and rehydration, with doctors acting preemptively due to the risks of delay. Byanyima said that even after receiving two and a half bottles of water, Besigye was still not passing urine, indicating severe dehydration.

Byanyima said prison authorities returned Besigye to the prison at night, despite the doctor requesting further review. She added that when she asked whether Besigye would be taken back to the clinic, officers told her it was “a decision from above,” and that Besigye does not have the right to see his personal doctor.

“His sister and I were there at the clinic while he was being treated. After receiving two and a half bottles of water in his body, he still wasn’t passing urine and the doctor said he was severely dehydrated and asked for him to remain on hydration. The prison authorities took him back to prison at night.” she noted

She further explained: “I must say that when Dr. Besigye arrived at the clinic I am told, I learned this from the medical people, that he wasn’t even in a position to stand up straight. That he was shaking, he told me himself, and unable to walk without support. By the time he left, after being treated, he was walking, but you could see that with difficulty. Six prison warders were surrounding him and they marched him down the stairs from the second floor. I followed them up to the basement.”

Byanyima said the prison authorities warned her not to speak publicly about the matter, or Besigye would be denied future medical access. She accused the authorities of treating her husband as a political captive rather than a prisoner.

“The prison authorities told me that if I talk about him being taken to the clinic, that they may not allow him again to see his personal doctor.” She stated

She called on the government to allow Besigye to receive proper medical care and to reconsider his continued detention, warning that the situation could have serious consequences.

Byanyima said that while she was at the clinic, she noticed a woman dressed in civilian clothes who appeared suspicious.

“What was of great concern to me was that all along at the clinic when I arrived, I had found there a woman who was dressed in civilian clothes, very strange clothes.”

She described the woman as wearing a kitambala over her head, in a manner similar to a Muslim woman’s veil, but not worn properly.

Byanyima said the woman followed the prison warders as they escorted Besigye to the car, and when she tried to approach her, the woman ran away.

“When the warders were taking Dr. Besigye, she followed them. When we got to the basement, I got near her to ask her who she was, and she started to run.”

She added that the woman tried to escape into another waiting car and removed her cover after being photographed.

“There was another car that was waiting for her I managed to take a picture of her back, and she pulled off her jitambara.”

Byanyima accused the woman of being part of military intelligence.

“These are the military intelligence people who are holding Dr. Besigye. I’m here to tell you that Dr. Besigye isn’t a prisoner held by the prison authorities. No. He is a captive.” she added

She also accused the courts of being instructed to deliver a conviction.

“This time with a judge who is under instructions convicting.” she said

Byanyima praised the team of lawyers, including Mayor Erias Lukwago, for standing by Besigye and exposing the government.

“I want to thank Mayor Elias and the amazing team of lawyers who have stood by his side. What they are doing is to expose Museveni before the world.” she added

Byanyima described the prison as holding four to five times the number of inmates it was designed for, forcing families to bring food for their loved ones because the prison lacks adequate facilities.

“It has like four or five times more prisoners than it should have most prisoners, their families bring them food and they cook for themselves.” she added

The Uganda Prisons is yet to pronounce itself on these allegations.