The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Chris Baryomunsi, has dismissed claims that opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is seriously ill while in custody, describing reports by his wife Winnie Byanyima as exaggerated and inaccurate.
Speaking on Tuesday at the Uganda Media Center, Baryomunsi said Besigye only suffered a minor illness which was promptly handled and has since recovered.
“A few days back, Dr. Besigye just got some minor ailment and he was attended to by his personal doctors and he is now well. He is living his usual life within Luzira Prison,” Baryomunsi said.
The minister directly contradicted Byanyima’s public statements in which she said her husband was critically ill, severely dehydrated, and denied access to his personal doctors.
“Contrary to what has been said by his wife, that he is seriously sick and that he is not able to access his personal doctors, that is not true,” Baryomunsi said.
He said his remarks were based on direct engagement with prison authorities and medical personnel close to Besigye.
“I have spoken to prison authorities. I have also personally spoken to his personal doctors, who include his own biological siblings. What I am telling you is a matter of fact,” he added.
Baryomunsi cautioned against what he termed politicisation of Besigye’s condition.
“While we sympathise with Dr. Besigye because he is still in prison, it would be wrong to always over-criticise his situation by falsifying information,” he said.
He called for a speedy trial to resolve Besigye’s legal issues.
“What we pray for is that he should get a speedy trial so that his issues are resolved as soon as possible,” Baryomunsi said.
Byanyima while addressing journalists last week claimed that Besigye’s condition was grave, saying she found him extremely ill after days without access.
“I went to see him and found him very ill. He had acute stomach pain, high temperature, and was severely dehydrated,” Byanyima said last week.
She further alleged that prison authorities delayed his transfer for treatment and moved him secretly at night under heavy security.
She said that Besigye told her he had been ill since Saturday and had refused treatment from prison authorities, insisting instead on being examined by his personal doctor. Byanyima said it was only after repeated negotiations by Dr. Nani Kanyerezi that the prison authorities allowed Besigye to be taken to her clinic.
However, the ICT minister in his account revealed that Besigye has always had access to his personal doctors, disregarding her allegations as unfounded.
“Contrary to what had been said by his wife, that he is seriously sick and that he is not able to access his personal doctors, that’s not true. I have spoken to prison authorities. I have also personally spoken to his personal doctors who include his own biological siblings. And what I’m telling you is a matter of fact.” he clarified
Byanyima also alleged that she was not notified by the prison authorities about the transfer, despite being Besigye’s next of kin. She said she only learned about it and rushed to the clinic, where doctors had already carried out tests and begun treatment.
However, the ICT minister says Byanyima is not listed as Dr. Kizza Besigye’s next of kin, countering her claims that prison authorities acted improperly by failing to notify her when the opposition leader was taken for medical treatment.
Baryomunsi rejected that claim, saying prison authorities followed the information officially provided by Besigye himself.
“When Dr. Besigye was taken to Luzira, he provided a list of next of kin, the people who should be contacted in case he wants to get in touch with members of his family,” Baryomunsi said.
“The three names he provided do not include his wife,” the minister added.
Baryomunsi said this explains why Byanyima was not formally notified about Besigye’s medical movements.
“So to claim that she was sidelined as next of kin is misleading. Prison authorities acted based on the information available to them,” he said.
The minister insisted there was no sinister motive in the handling of Besigye’s medical care or family communication.
“There was no deliberate attempt to block anyone. Procedures were followed as per the records that were provided,” Baryomunsi said.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine has also publicly denied that Besigye’s health is critical or deteriorating, saying his recent trip to a medical facility was simply a routine medical check-up and that he was returned to prison after the examination.While responding to the allegations last week, Baine indicated that Besigye is okay and receives necessary treatment like other prisoners.
The prisons service has described claims that Besigye is critically ill as unfounded or false, contradicting statements from his party (PFF), and Byanyima. Prisons officials have characterized opposition portrayals of his health as exaggerated.