Uganda Prisons Denies Besigye Hunger Strike Allegations Amid Political Controversy

The Uganda Prisons Service has denied reports that veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is on hunger strike while in detention at Luzira Prison.

Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine clarified that Besigye has been consuming his meals regularly, dismissing claims made by close associates, including his wife, Winnie Byanyima, who suggested that he had refused to eat as a form of protest.

Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has been in detention since last year, facing charges of treachery and illegal possession of firearms before the General Court Martial. His ongoing legal battles and the continued trial of civilians in military courts have drawn sharp criticism, with his lawyer, Erias Lukwago, condemning what he describes as an “illegal detention.”

The controversy deepened after first son and Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, made inflammatory remarks on X (formerly Twitter), appearing to mock Besigye’s alleged hunger strike. Muhoozi’s comments—suggesting Uganda would be better off without Besigye—sparked outrage among opposition supporters.

Despite the Supreme Court ruling against the trial of civilians in military courts, Besigye remains in custody, fueling tensions over the government’s refusal to implement the decision. His detention continues to be a flashpoint in Uganda’s political landscape, with critics accusing authorities of using the military justice system to suppress dissent.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on Luzira Prison and the government’s next move in handling one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures.