The health of detained veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has reached a critical and deteriorating state, his party says, after he was taken overnight to a medical facility in the capital, Kampala. The 69-year-old politician was driven to a private medical facility under heavy security, the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) party reported. However, the authorities claimed Besigye's health was not in danger, describing his hospital visit as a normal check-up.

Besigye, a former doctor and long-time rival of President Yoweri Museveni, has been in custody since November 2024, facing military court charges that include treason and illegal possession of a firearm. Recently, his health issues have raised alarms, with his wife stating he is suffering from acute stomach pain and severe dehydration. The PFF has accused the Ugandan authorities of denying him necessary medical care, calling for immediate access for his private doctors to ensure his well-being.

This situation is compounded by the political context of Uganda, where Besigye's lengthy detention and health complications mirror a history of contentious politics under Museveni's rule. With mounting pressures for his release on medical grounds, the state remains firm amid ongoing criticisms of its treatment of political dissenters.