A somber mood filled St. John and Bruno Church in Luzira as the Youth Uganda Network gathered for special prayers, calling for the release of Dr Kizza Besigye and other political detainees.
The intercessory mass, led by Uganda Prisons Chaplain Fr Joseph Ssentomero, offered spiritual support to those behind bars, reminding them that imprisonment is not the end of life.
“We pray for our brothers and sisters behind bars, that they may find strength and hope in God. Being a prisoner does not mean the end of life,” Fr. Ssentomero said.
The prayers, organized by the activist group Young Ugandans Network and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), highlighted growing concerns over Dr. Besigye’s deteriorating health.
National Coordinator Moses Byamugisha warned that Besigye’s frailty echoed that of the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, who allegedly suffered from neglect in detention.
“Dr. Besigye is like a father to us. He has mentored many in politics. It is unfair for someone who has sacrificed so much for this country to be treated this way,” Byamugisha said.
The group is demanding the immediate release of Besigye, Hajji Obed, lawyer Erone Kiiza, and National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters still held at the General Court Martial.
They also criticized the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Attorney General for failing to implement a Supreme Court ruling barring the trial of civilians in military courts.
“It is heartbreaking that even after the Supreme Court ruled that civilians should not be tried in military courts, these individuals remain detained, with no legal progress on their cases,” Byamugisha added.
Meanwhile, Besigye’s legal team, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, visited him at Luzira prison and later revealed that his health had significantly deteriorated.
Prison authorities, however, have denied these claims, maintaining that the opposition figure is receiving adequate medical attention.