Uganda’s Kizza Besigye rushed to intensive care unit after collapsing in treason trial

Ugandan opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, was reportedly rushed to an intensive care unit (ICU) after collapsing during his treason trial in Kampala yesterday, with his wife saying the veteran politician was unconscious and unresponsive.

The 70-year-old, who has been in detention since November 2024, reportedly lost consciousness after objecting to state-appointed lawyers representing him during proceedings at the High Court.

Witnesses, as reported by the BBC, said Besigye repeatedly shouted “stop” as the court moved to appoint legal counsel before suddenly collapsing, prompting prison officers to rush him to hospital.

His wife, Winnie Byanyima, said Besigye was unconscious and unable to respond even to painful stimuli after the incident.

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“Before he collapsed, he cried out that he was being injured,” she said, adding that Besigye’s sister, a medical doctor, was initially prevented from attending to him in court.

Besigye was taken to Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, where he was admitted to the ICU. His wife said he had refused treatment from government medical personnel and called for him to be transferred to a private medical facility where he could be attended to by his personal physician.

Local reports indicated that the ICU wing where Besigye is receiving treatment was heavily guarded by security personnel, although his sister was later granted access to see him.

Besigye, a four-time presidential challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested after being brought back to Uganda from Kenya in November 2024.

He and his aide, Obeid Lutale, are facing treason charges over allegations that they plotted to overthrow the government. The pair deny the accusations.

Treason is a capital offence in Uganda and carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.

The latest development is likely to intensify scrutiny of Besigye’s detention and ongoing trial, which have drawn concern from opposition supporters and human rights advocates.

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