The Forum for Democratic Change Katonga group has raised concerns about the current state of Dr. Kizza Besigye in prison.
Erias Lukwago, the Acting President of the FDC Katonga group and Dr. Besigye’s lawyer, said that Dr. Besigye is being held in solitary confinement at Luzira Prison, where he is not allowed to interact with other prisoners.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s offices on Katonga Road, Lukwago disclosed that Besigye is now prohibited from directly engaging with visitors but instead placed in a glass booth and he communicates with them via a phone.
Lukwago argued that these conditions violate Besigye’s rights as a prisoner, emphasizing that he has a right to interact with fellow inmates and participate in prayers like any other inmate.
He further noted that Dr. Besigye has boycotted food from the prison canteen unless it is brought by close friends or relatives.
According to Lukwago, Besigye’s refusal to consume food from the prison canteen stems from fears of being poisoned.
However, responding to the allegations, Prisons spokesperson, Frank Baine slammed the claims as outrageous.
“When somebody says something out of the blue that doesn’t have any idea, I find it outrageous. It is not true we can deny food to Dr.Kizza Besigye or any other prisoner.When you come to prison you don’t become an expert. We are the experts . Let us do our work because we are not doing it for the first time,” Baine said.
He explained that the Prison Act stipulates that Prison authorities will provide wholesome quality, well prepared and served food to all prisoners, noting that it is foolhardy for anyone to try to direct them on what to do.
“The act doesn’t provide for relatives, friends and political allies to carry food to prisons. Standing orders say one may carry food to prisoners and when we have tried to bend the law to adjust, then somebody starts insinuating. This becomes funny and uncalled for.”
The prisons spokesperson, said when is allowed to bring food stuffs for prisoners, there are conditions they must adhere to and in case of violation, the officer in charge of that particular prison is allowed to stop the food.
“It is officer in charge to prescribe and not prisoner’s visitor whether the food is allowed or not. We are operating according to what guidelines give us. They( Besigye’s associates) should know that management and politics are very different. Getting food from out is not a right but a privilege and officer in charge is allowed to adjust.”
“We are managing prisons as professionals and according to international standards. Whether it is Besigye or who, we look at them as prisoners. We shall continue doing that.”
Baine also slammed claims that government wants to kill Dr.Besigye from prison, saying the opposition leader has been in prison more than three times since 2005 and nothing bad has happened to him.
“When you circulate such information, we doubt your intensions. If your intention to visit is to distort facts, then there is no reason to again allow you.”
Arrested last year in Kenya together with his aide, Hajji Obeid Kamulegeya, Dr. Besigye was remanded to Luzira by the General Court Martial on charges related to unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition
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