Following his recent appearance in court, which saw the politician visibly weakened, the UMA has raised alarms about his health, particularly after he spent nearly a week on hunger strike.
Besigye, who has faced political charges he deems unjust, went on the hunger strike in protest of his treatment, including his trial by a military court. Although his case has now been moved to a civilian court, Besigye halted the strike, but his health remains a major concern.
In a statement, the UMA which represents health professionals across the country, said that Besigye’s condition requires urgent specialised care. The association has recommended that he be transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda’s largest and most advanced medical facility, for further assessment. Dr Herbert Luswata, UMA President, stated that the country’s leading healthcare providers should be allowed to assess Besigye’s condition to ensure that his treatment is adequate.
“The situation is concerning,” Luswata said. “Besigye appeared extremely frail in court, which raises serious questions about his physical state after prolonged neglect. We have requested that he be transferred to Mulago for proper evaluation, as we do not have clarity on his medical condition.”
The government responded to the UMA’s concerns, with President Museveni’s office issuing a statement confirming that Besigye had received care from a private clinic and was being monitored by a personal physician. However, the medical details provided remain limited, with no confirmation from Besigye’s doctors or family regarding the specifics of his health.
Luswata added that the UMA has made repeated attempts to obtain a medical report from the prison’s health service but has not yet been granted access to crucial information about Besigye’s treatment.
"We understand the importance of keeping sensitive information secure, but we believe transparency is key, especially when it comes to the health of a detainee. We have not received any details from the prison doctors or from the physician treating him at the clinic, which has left us with very little to go on," said Luswata.
Rumours about Besigye’s health have circulated, with some suggesting he may be suffering from hypertension or other underlying conditions. Concerns over his extreme weakness and inability to even stand without support have heightened fears that his condition could worsen without appropriate medical intervention.
Luswata stressed that the UMA is not calling for political intervention, but rather for equal access to healthcare for all Ugandans, including those in prison. “We have regularly treated inmates in referral hospitals for various conditions. Besigye should not be an exception,” he said.
--ChannelAfrica--
