By The Uganda Prisons Services has disclosed that former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has ceased communication with prison authorities following his latest detention.
While appearing before Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, revealed that unlike in previous incarcerations, where Besigye actively engaged with prison officials, he has now chosen to remain silent.
“All the previous times we had Dr. Besigye in custody, he engaged with us freely. However, this time, he has decided to keep to himself,” Byabashaija noted, highlighting the shift in Besigye’s behavior.
Allegations of Restricted Access to Food and Legal Counsel
The discussion emerged as part of an ongoing parliamentary probe into Besigye’s welfare, following media reports suggesting that the prison authorities had restricted his access to food, legal representation, and family visits.
Byabashaija refuted these claims, asserting that Besigye had personally designated three individuals to deliver his meals and that there had been no instances of food deprivation. Additionally, he dismissed allegations of a hunger strike as unfounded.
Security Concerns and Revised Protocols
The Commissioner General attributed Besigye’s refusal to engage with prison officials to security concerns raised by a close family member.
“I had a discussion with a close relative who expressed concerns about Dr. Besigye’s safety. As a result, we revised our security protocols around him,” Byabashaija explained.
For security reasons, Besigye’s interactions with authorities are now conducted via video link.
Justification for Solitary Confinement
Byabashaija also defended the decision to place Besigye in isolation, stating that it was necessary both for his personal safety and to prevent potential unrest among other inmates.
“The isolation of Dr. Besigye is primarily for his protection. However, it is also necessary because he has the ability to mobilize and incite fellow prisoners, which could lead to disorder within the facility,” he stated.
His remarks have sparked further debate, with members of the Human Rights Committee continuing to scrutinize the conditions under which Besigye is being held.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Dr. Besigye is currently facing treachery charges before the General Court Martial in Makindye and is expected to appear for the next hearing on February 3. He is jointly charged with his associate, Obeid Lutale, who was arrested alongside him from a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024.
In a controversial development, the military court recently added an army officer—who had already been imprisoned for nearly two years—to Besigye’s charge sheet, a move critics say was aimed at justifying the treachery allegations.
Safety Concerns Raised by Besigye
Besigye has also voiced concerns over his safety while in detention, citing unusual nighttime disturbances, such as unexplained noises and the sound of padlocks being opened and closed without clear reason.
His continued detention and the conditions surrounding his imprisonment remain a subject of intense public and parliamentary debate, as Uganda Prisons Services maintains that all actions taken are in accordance with security protocols.
