Senior Counsel Martha Karua has raised concerns over the health of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.

According to Karua, Besigye has been experiencing bouts of dizziness, and his health has been compromised by the lengthy incarceration.

Speaking on Monday, Karua, who is also Besigye’s lawyer, said she has raised the issue with the mayor, who is following up on Besigye’s case for a prompt response.

“We were informed that Dr. Kizza Besigye is unwell; he is having bouts of dizziness, and he needs to be seen by the doctors and diagnosed. We have brought it to the attention of the Lord Mayor. As the lawyer on record handling the matter, they will be able to deal with it. The mayor with his team will be able to take that up,” Karua said.

“It is concerning that the health of Dr. Besigye has been greatly compromised by his lengthy and unnecessary incarceration.”

Ugandan opposition leader Besigye's detention since November 2024 has sparked massive concern around the globe.

Besigye has been arrested at least five times, with the most recent being on November 16, 2024, in Nairobi, where he was to attend Karua’s book launch.

Four days later, on November 20, Besigye and Hajj Lutale appeared before a military court in Kampala, under the charges of possession of an illegal firearm. 

They pleaded not guilty and were remanded at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.

In January 2025, the military court ruled that Besigye could be tried for treachery.

On February 14, Besigye appeared at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court, looking frail and sickly, as his bony shoulders slumped.

His sunken cheeks and hollow eyes spoke of long days without proper meals, with his skin stretched thin over his prominent cheekbones

As his eyes darted around the courtroom, one could see that they were flickering with a mixture of anxiety and uncertainty.

His lawyers, led by Erias Lukwago, told the court that the proceedings should not continue.  

He said the state of the opposition leader did not give space for a proceeding, adding that if they continued with the business of the day, it would amount to a violation of his human rights.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling halting the trials of civilians in military courts, Besigye remained on remand facing court-martial charges. By PERPETUA ETYANG, The Star