Concerns over the welfare and treatment of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition leader and former presidential candidate, have ignited intense debate in Parliament. Lawmakers have raised alarms about alleged human rights violations at Luzira Prison where Besigye is detained and called for immediate government clarification on his condition and the prison’s policies.
During a heated session, Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) called for urgent action, warning that Dr. Besigye’s death in detention would severely tarnish the reputation of Parliament and the government.
“If Dr. Besigye dies in prison, God forbid, it will send a very bad signal on this institution. That something happened, we were around, and we didn’t speak out. I wouldn’t like that under your tenure,” Basalirwa cautioned.
Basalirwa further questioned the government on two critical issues: the alleged abduction of Dr. Besigye from Kenya and a possible policy shift at Luzira Prison, where inmates, including Besigye, are now subjected to caged conversations with visitors.
He noted that this practice deviates from the long-standing tradition of allowing prisoners to interact freely with their visitors.
“The Minister of Internal Affairs must clarify whether there is a policy shift in Luzira. Many of us, as former political prisoners, know this practice is alien to Luzira,” Basalirwa emphasized.
Echoing these concerns, Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi criticized Parliament for its silence on Dr. Besigye’s plight. He recalled the case of Muhammad Ssegirinya, an MP who died after repeated pleas for his release on health grounds were ignored.
“Are we waiting for you to announce that Besigye has died, and then you tell us to stand up and observe a moment of silence to pay tribute to him? Are we waiting for that? He has been denied food from his family, which puts his life in jeopardy,” Ssenyonyi charged.
The issue of Besigye’s welfare arose after Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju County) questioned whether it was procedurally right for Parliament to continue normal business while reports of human rights violations in Luzira persisted.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa responded by assuring the House that Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa would present a detailed statement on Tuesday.
“The Attorney General has received the Hansard, and I have spoken to him. He confirmed he would respond to all issues raised, including the welfare of Dr. Besigye,” Tayebwa said.
Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi had earlier faced backlash for delaying his response, attributing the delay to difficulties understanding the “complex American accent” used by Atkins Katusabe (Bukonzo West) when raising the matter.
However, Tayebwa mocked critics accusing Parliament of inaction. “What do you want us to do? Should we send Anthony Akol (Kilak North) to raid Luzira and rescue Besigye? No, not Akol – Akol is dangerous. Maybe we should send Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality) instead,” Tayebwa joked, referring to Akol’s past involvement in physical altercations in Parliament.
As Uganda marks 39 years under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), the detention of Dr. Besigye, a key figure in the fight to bring the NRM to power, has drawn significant scrutiny. The developments around his case continue to shine a spotlight on Uganda’s human rights record and the government’s treatment of political opponents.
Parliament demands answers over Kizza Besigye’s treatment in Luzira Prison
