I Spoke to Museveni About Besigye; He Promised to Call Back on Wednesday – Byanyima

Winnie Byanyima and opposition forces speaking to reporters in Kampala on Monday.

Winnie Byanyima, the wife of jailed opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, has revealed that she personally spoke to President Yoweri Museveni following the postponement of prayers that Besigye’s family had organized at Rubaga Cathedral.

The prayers, which were scheduled for Monday, were postponed after President Museveni directed the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, to halt the service, citing concerns that it was politically motivated.

Speaking to reporters in Kampala on Monday, Byanyima said Archbishop Ssemogerere informed her of the presidential directive, prompting her to directly reach out to Museveni to clarify the purpose of the prayers.

“I called the President and requested to talk to him, to give him the assurances that he needs that this is indeed a prayer,” Byanyima said. “When you have a problem, you appeal to God.”

She added that Museveni initially indicated he would call her back on Monday morning, but a follow-up communication from his office said the President would instead speak to her on Wednesday morning.

“So I will be waiting for that call from the President,” Byanyima said. “I will assure him that even if he believes Besigye is guilty, he is still an innocent man until proven guilty.”

Byanyima stressed that regardless of the outcome of the case, her husband remains a human being deserving of care and compassion.

She strongly criticized the postponement of the church prayers, describing it as an overreach by the President.

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“I am so disappointed and worried about the future of our country,” she said. “A place of faith where we have always gone and found safety and comfort — even there, he can intrude and stop the church from doing its duty. He has crossed yet another space that he should not control.”

Dr Besigye was arrested in November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, together with his political ally Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, where they had travelled to attend a book launch by Kenya’s former Justice Minister Martha Karua. The two are facing treason charges before the High Court in Uganda.

Karua, who leads Besigye’s legal team, also condemned the decision to block the prayers.

“We are disappointed that the prayer did not go on,” Karua said. “Even the guilty pray to the Lord. I believe everybody — including the President of Uganda — prays to God when they have a problem.”

Outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor and Besigye’s lawyer Erias Lukwago described Museveni’s directive as immoral and unacceptable.

“We express our dissatisfaction with the way Mr Museveni interfered with the operations of the Cathedral,” Lukwago said. “That conduct invites condemnation from Ugandans and the entire humanity.”

The prayers can only proceed if the President grants approval, according to church officials