The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has raised a red flag over the deteriorating health of veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who is currently in detention. In an urgent press briefing today, Tuesday, 20 January 2026, party officials claimed that Besigye’s physical condition has reached a “critical state” and demanded his immediate transfer to a specialized medical facility.
The four-time presidential candidate, a physician himself, has been in and out of state custody for decades, but his supporters say his current incarceration is taking an unprecedented toll on his body.
According to the FDC leadership and his legal team, Besigye is suffering from a combination of chronic ailments exacerbated by “poor prison conditions”.
Reports suggest he has developed a persistent chest infection and breathing difficulties. His personal doctors have allegedly been denied access to him for the past 72 hours, leading to fears that his underlying conditions are being mismanaged as party insiders claim Besigye is struggling to walk and has complained of severe joint pain and numbness.
Wasswa Biriggwa, FDC Chairman, has also addressed reporters in Kampala:
“Dr. Kizza Besigye is not just a political figure; he is a human being whose rights are being violated. His health is failing rapidly. We have information that he is being kept in a damp, poorly ventilated cell. We hold the government of President Museveni directly responsible for whatever happens to him. This is not prosecution; it is persecution.”
The Uganda Prisons Service has dismissed the party’s claims as “exaggerated political propaganda.” A spokesperson for the prisons stated:
“Dr. Besigye is receiving the same medical attention as any other inmate. Our facilities have qualified medical personnel. If there is a need for a referral, our doctors will make that recommendation based on professional assessment, not political pressure.”
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have reiterated calls for the Ugandan government to ensure Besigye receives adequate medical care. There are growing concerns among regional diplomats that his continued detention and failing health could spark a new wave of anti-government protests in Kampala.
