Byanyima visits Besigye in prison cell

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Winnie Byanyima, the wife of four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, has for the first time visited him in his cell at Luzira Maximum Security Prison in Kampala.

After the visit on Monday (February 17), Byanyima, who is also the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS head, took to X, formerly Twitter, and described to the world what she saw.

“He (Besigye) was lying on a small bed that occupies the whole length of the room. A pile of old newspapers and two old cardboard boxes next to his bed left room for one stool to sit on,” she said.

Besigye and his friend Hajji Obeid Lutale were incarcerated at Luzira Prison in Kampala by the General Court Martial in November 2024 over charges that include possessing two pistols and eight bullets. (File photo)

She also said there were about six or seven locked doors that she went past before getting to Besigye’s room, which is along a dark and narrow corridor.

“Someone told me that this is the special prison for suspected terrorists,” Byanyima, who is also an under-secretary-general of the United Nations, said.

She also said it was “very painful” to find her husband, an Opposition doyen, in such humiliating circumstances. 

“Besigye is weak, has lost alarming weight, and is dizzy—he hasn’t eaten in five days. This is not just illegal detention, it is kidnapping. I am outraged and demand that President Yoweri Museveni and his son, the army chief, release him immediately. He is a citizen with rights—just like them,” she said.

She also said Besigye made it clear that he neither invited nor consented to seeing information minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi on February 16, 2025.

“A prison officer forced him into the room. Baryomunsi lied about having a conversation—Besigye remained completely silent in protest. Baryomunsi ranted, heard not a single word in response, and left,” Byanyima said.

Afterward, she said Besigye complained to his jailers about “this invasion of his privacy, but they shrugged it off”.

“The impunity is staggering. The humiliation is endless. No one should be subjected to this. Besigye is deeply offended—but not surprised—by Baryomunsi’s wild claims about his health. After forcing his way into his room, Baryomunsi declared him ‘well’,” she said.

Medical tests

However, hours earlier, Baryomunsi said on Sunday, Besigye underwent medical tests at a private clinic in Bugolobi, Kampala city.

He added that the frail-looking Besigye was taken to the clinic for “some medical checks”.

“Dr Besigye wasn’t taken to Bugolobi clinic because he was in the worst condition but they were going to carry out some medical checks,” he said while appearing on one of the morning TV talk-shows in Kampala.

The minister also said the reason Besigye looked weak is that he is on a hunger strike at Luzira, where he and his long-time friend, Hajji Obeid Lutale, are being incarcerated.

“When I visited Dr Besigye, yes, he is weak, but from a medical standpoint, he is not in that condition where you would be extremely worried. The reason Dr Besigye looked weak is that he is on a hunger strike,” he said.

Lutale's condition

Byanyima also said she saw Lutale, saying he is in good health.

“He is doing all he can to support his comrade as Besigye weakens. Besigye is too frail to walk to the visitors’ center, so Haji Obeid has been meeting all their guests—friends and family—on his behalf,” she said.

Besigye and Lutale were incarcerated at Luzira Prison in Kampala by the General Court Martial in November 2024 over charges that include possessing two pistols and eight bullets.

They are also standing trial for soliciting military support overseas to destabilise Uganda’s national security.

They were arrested in Kenyan capital Nairobi on November 16, 2024, while they were allegedly heading for the launch of National Rainbow Coalition party leader Martha Karua’s book.