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Court adjourns as Judge orders Dr. Kizza Besigye back to prison over health concerns

By Shamim Nabakooza | Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Court adjourns as Judge orders Dr. Kizza Besigye back to prison over health concerns
Besigye kept gasping for breath in the dock

The legal battle for Dr. Kizza Besigye’s release took a dramatic turn after Judge Singizi Douglas ordered that the opposition leader be taken back to prison due to ill health.

The judge cited concerns over Besigye’s deteriorating condition, stating that he could not proceed with a sick prisoner who might faint in court.

“This is an administrative order. If a prisoner is sick, I can’t continue with him. He might faint,” Judge Singizi ruled before adjourning the session for a few minutes.

Besigye, who has been on a hunger strike for days to protest his detention, has reportedly suffered significant health complications, with his wife, Winnie Byanyima, previously revealing that his kidneys were showing signs of damage.

His condition has fueled nationwide protests, with supporters in Mbarara, Bushenyi, and Kampala demanding his release.

Despite his worsening health, the state has continued to hold Besigye in detention, prompting his lawyers to file for an immediate release order.

The court is set to reconvene shortly to hear the defense team’s plea for his freedom.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high as security forces maintain a heavy presence around the court premises, anticipating possible protests from Besigye’s supporters.

His legal team insists that continued incarceration without proper medical care is a violation of his rights and are pushing for an urgent court ruling in his favor.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the fate of one of Uganda’s most vocal opposition figures hangs in the balance, with activists and human rights groups closely watching whether the judiciary will grant him the medical attention he urgently needs.

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