A coalition of human rights organisations has called on Ugandan authorities to release opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago due to serious health concerns while in state custody.
Dr. Besigye, aged 70, collapsed during a High Court session in Kampala on July 29 and was subsequently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital under military guard. Meanwhile, Lukwago remains detained at Luzira Prison despite medical assessments indicating urgent need for specialised treatment.
The Pan African Solidarity Network described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, highlighting allegations that both men have been denied adequate medical care. The group criticised Ugandan authorities for refusing to provide necessary specialised medical attention, noting that Besigye was forcibly taken from Nairobi in November 2024 without formal extradition procedures.
Key points from the coalition's statement include:
- Besigye's continued detention contradicts a January 2025 Ugandan Supreme Court ruling ordering his release.
- Prosecution evidence against both men contains inconsistencies, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the charges.
- Lukwago suffers from severe spinal issues and advanced hypertension, with doctors recommending urgent evacuation for specialised care abroad, which has been denied.
- The coalition urged international bodies including the African Union and the United Nations to intervene and press for their release.
- Calls were made for targeted sanctions against officials implicated in rights violations and for suspension of military aid to Uganda.
The coalition stressed the urgency of the matter, stating, "Every hour matters," and appealed to all defenders of human rights to act swiftly to safeguard the lives of Besigye and Lukwago and uphold the rule of law in Uganda.
