Prominent Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has been admitted to the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital after collapsing during a court session in Kampala on Wednesday.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed the development in a post on X early Thursday, saying the 70-year-old was unconscious and in critical condition.
“He is unconscious, unable to speak, and unresponsive even to a pain stimulus,” said Byanyima, who also serves as Executive Director of the United Nations AIDS programme (UNAIDS).
Besigye collapsed while appearing before court in the Ugandan capital, where he is facing treason charges. He was rushed from the courtroom in an ambulance.
Government spokesperson Alan Kasujja did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The veteran opposition leader has been in detention since November 2024 after he and his aide, Obeid Lutale, were arrested in neighbouring Kenya before being returned to Uganda, where they were later charged with treason.
His lawyers, supporters and human rights campaigners have dismissed the charges as politically motivated, arguing that his continued detention is part of a broader crackdown on government critics under President Yoweri Museveni.
President Museveni, 81, was declared the winner of Uganda’s most recent general election in January. The outcome was rejected by runner-up Bobi Wine, who has since gone into exile in the United States.
Besigye’s detention has sparked massive concern around the globe.
Though known as one of the few leaders who have dared to challenge President Yoweri Museveni’s decades-long tenure in Uganda, many still know less about who Besigye is.
Born on April 22, 1956, he is the second-born in a family of six. He is a doctor, politician and former military officer.
Besigye went to Kinyasano Primary School and Mbarara Junior School. He later joined Kitante High School for his O-level and Kigezi High School for his A-level
In 1975, he enrolled at Makerere University and five years later, he graduated with a degree in human medicine.
Besigye briefly worked at Mulago National Hospital before fleeing to Kenya, where he worked at the Aga Khan Hospital.
He later on worked at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
In 1982, Besigye joined President Yoweri Museveni’s rebel National Resistance Movement and Army (NRM/A).
He served as Museveni’s physician.
In January 1986, when the NRM/A came to power, he was appointed Minister for Internal Affairs.
He later held the positions of Minister of State in the President’s office and National Political Commissar.
In 1991, he became commanding officer of the mechanised regiment in Masaka, central Uganda, and in 1993 was appointed the army’s chief of logistics and engineering.
In 1999, he wrote a document critical of the government, “An Insider’s View of How the NRM Lost the Broad Base”.
He was court-martialed for the same but in 2000, the charges were dropped for an apology.
In 2001, Besigye retired from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, having attained the rank of colonel.
In June 2001, he was briefly arrested over allegations of treason. In January 2025, the military court ruled that Besigye could be tried for treachery
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that the trial of civilians in military courts was unconstitutional, but this order was ignored.
On February 11, Besigye began a hunger strike and was hospitalised a few days later.
Bobi Wine, Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima and his lawyer have described him as being ill, dizzy and weak.
The Commonwealth and several human rights organisations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have called for Besigye’s immediate release.
