National Unity Platform (NUP) Party leader Bobi Wine has said opposition leader Kizza Besigye is increasingly becoming weak as a result to his hunger strike.
Besigye, who has been in custody since November 2024, began the strike on Wednesday, February 12 in demand for his release.
On Sunday, Besigye was rushed to a clinic at Bugolobi Village Mall in critical condition.
Come Monday, Bobi Wine led other leaders in the hospital visit, but they were not allowed to see Besigye.
“We were not able to see Dr Kizza Besigye because we were told he is very weak and is not able to leave bed unsupported. He is increasingly becoming very weak but he is strong,” Bobi Wine told NTV Uganda.
He added that they were however allowed to see other political prisoners who confirmed that Besigye started his hunger strike and the results are showing.
He stated that Besigye had sent a message, urging the opposition to fight not just for him but for all political prisoners.
Besigye is currently facing trial for “threatening national security” and has resorted to refusing food and consuming only water as an act of protest against what he calls an unlawful detention.
On Friday, Besigye appeared in court for a hearing in a separate case, looking frail, prompting outrage from his supporters.
Despite a ruling from Uganda’s Supreme Court in January that civilians should not be tried in military courts, President Museveni has rejected the decision, allowing the prosecution to continue.
Besigye used to be a personal doctor for Yoweri Museveni, but went on to become an opposition leader.
He has contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
The veteran opposition figure has previously decried political persecution from Ugandan authorities.
Besigye has been less active in politics in recent years and did not contest the 2021 election.
