Winnie Byanyima speaks out on Besigye postponed prayers at Rubaga

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Jailed opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, has spoken about the postponed Holy Mass that had been organised for the four-time presidential candidate at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala on Monday, February 23.

Byanyima, who serves as UNAIDS executive director, said at a hastily arranged press conference that Kampala Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere called her on Sunday night and informed her that he had received a phone call from President Yoweri Museveni requesting him to postpone the Mass because he wanted to carry out investigations.

Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS executive director, at Rubaga. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Winnie Byanyima and Maria Matembe alongside her at Rubaga. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

“He (Museveni) said he had learnt that the Mass is political, and he said Dr Besigye is a prisoner and has many things to answer. The archbishop said he didn’t care about the case; he (Besigye) is an innocent man until he is proved guilty, and for him (archbishop), he prays for sinners—everybody,” she quoted the archbishop as saying.

Byanyima said that when the archbishop insisted on holding the Mass, the President responded, “Give me a few days to investigate and then I will come back to you on Friday.”

“I also called the President and requested to talk to him; to give him the assurances he needs that this is indeed a prayer. When you have a problem, you appeal to God. He (Museveni) sent me back a reply that he would call me this morning. This morning again his person called me and said he (Museveni) will speak to me on Wednesday morning,” she said.

“So, I will be waiting for that call from the President, and I will assure him that even if he believes Besigye is guilty, he is still an innocent man until he is proven guilty and even if he is proven guilty, he is a human being deserving of love, of care, just like himself (Museveni),” Byanyima stated.

She added that they would continue, as family and friends, to love Besigye, care for him and pray for him because that is their duty.

“Besigye has been held in prison for more than a year, with the trial not starting. We have asked for bail; it has been denied. His health, meanwhile, deteriorates. So, I went to God and asked my church to pray for him and other prisoners suffering the same,” she said.

She informed the media that the archbishop agreed and set up an organising committee, which arranged the now-postponed Mass. “Many friends responded; I take the opportunity to thank them for the contributions of eats, of flowers, of everything we give in church,” she said.

The UNAIDS boss, however, said: “With that, I want to say I am so disappointed and worried about the future of our country…”

Winnie Byanyima with outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago alongside her at Rubaga. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Joel Senyonyi, Leader of Opposition in Parliament and MP Nakawa West speaking to the press at Rubaga. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

Former army commander and retired Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu (centre) at Rubaga. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjjoba)

Salaamu Musumba (Left) greeting the clergy at Rubaga. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

By the time of filing this story, New Vision had not received a comment from State House or the Kampala Archdiocese.

Besigye and his long-time aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, were arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, and later brought to Uganda, where they were charged with several firearms and security-related offences before the General Court Martial. They were subsequently remanded to Luzira Prison.

On February 21, 2025, they were charged at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court with treason and again remanded to Luzira Prison alongside Uganda People’s Defence Forces officer Capt. Denis Oola.

Besigye emerged on the political scene in 2001 and became the face of Uganda’s opposition for nearly 20 years. He contested the presidential elections in 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016, losing each time to President Museveni.