Uganda Prisons Service has confirmed that detained opposition politicians Dr Kizza Besigye and Erias Lukwago have been taken from Luzira Prison to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) for medical attention.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine said on Monday that the two men were transferred to the facility by the prisons medical team, but rejected reports that either of them was in critical condition.
Mr Baine said both men were stable and not in danger, adding that Mr Lukwago, a former Kampala Lord Mayor, was expected to return to Luzira Prison.
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“What is being done is part of a court order and recommendations of the Mulago team of experts,” Mr Baine said.
The comments follow renewed concerns about the health of Dr Besigye and Mr Lukwago after reports emerged that they had separately been moved from prison for treatment.
Dr Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, said on 28 August that her husband had been transferred to JCRC after dark and remained in a weak condition.
“After dark, Dr @kizzabesigye1 was moved from Luzira Prison to JCRC hospital today. He is still very weak. He struggles to walk, speak, write or even hold anything steadily,” Ms Byanyima said in a post on X.
She called for Dr Besigye to be allowed to travel to Geneva for specialised medical treatment and to be with his family.
“He needs care, not cruelty. This is not justice. It is persecution,” she said.
Mr Baine said a decision on whether Dr Besigye could receive treatment outside prison was not one for the Uganda Prisons Service to make and would have to be determined by the court.
Treason trial continues
Dr Besigye is facing treason charges alongside his political aide Obeid Lutale and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer Capt Denis Oola.
Prosecutors allege that between 2023 and 2024, the three participated in meetings in Geneva, Athens and Nairobi where plans to overthrow the Ugandan government by force of arms were discussed.
The accused have denied the allegations.
An amended indictment also alleges that Dr Besigye solicited and received money to facilitate the movement of people to Kenya for training connected to the alleged plot.
His trial has continued in his absence after his health deteriorated and he stopped attending proceedings following an incident in which he collapsed in the dock at the High Court in Kampala.
Dr Besigye had also objected to proceedings continuing without his preferred lawyers.
The decision to proceed in his absence followed representations from prison authorities that he had declined to attend court and had also refused an offer to participate in proceedings virtually.
Prosecutors have since presented their first witness, British-American national Andrew Wilson, also known as Orlando.
Mr Wilson has presented audio and video recordings to the court and made allegations linking Dr Besigye to the alleged plot.
The allegations remain before the court and have not resulted in a conviction.
Lukwago faces separate case
Mr Lukwago, who has previously represented Dr Besigye as one of his defence lawyers, is being held over a separate charge of misprision of treason.
His latest admission to JCRC comes as he pursues his own legal proceedings while remaining associated with Dr Besigye’s defence.
Confirmation of the two men’s medical transfers has renewed attention on their health and conditions in detention, particularly following concerns raised by Dr Besigye’s family and supporters.
Uganda Prisons Service maintains that the medical interventions are being carried out in accordance with court orders and recommendations from a team of medical specialists from Mulago.
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