Besigye’s Hunger Strike and Concerns for His Life Spark Calls for Transparency
Kampala, Uganda – Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons, Johnson Byabashaija, confirmed that former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has stopped cooperating with prison authorities due to fears for his life.
Commissioner Byabashaija disclosed this information on Wednesday while appearing before Parliament’s Human Rights Committee.
Byabashaija explained that Besigye’s behavior is unusual, as he previously interacted comfortably with prison authorities. However, after a close relative expressed Besigye’s fears for his life, Byabashaija changed the security protocols around him.
“The previous times we had Besigye, he was talking with us comfortably, but not this time. I had close interaction with a close relative who expressed Dr. Besigye’s fears of his life. I therefore changed all security protocols around Dr. Besigye.” Said Byabashaija.
Byabashaija defended the decision to block Elias Lukwago, Besigye’s lawyer, from visiting, citing the presence of MPs from the Human Rights Committee.
“The day I denied the Lord Mayor access, I had cleared MPs, and we need some space. But the next day, we allowed him to interact with Besigye; we weren’t unreasonable.” Byabashaija remarked.
MPs Jona Odur, Francis Zaake, and Flavia Nabagabe expressed concerns over Besigye’s safety, highlighting an incident where two of his cell doors were opened at night, causing him to shout for help.
Rose Obigah clarified that Besigye’s food was initially restricted, and he went on hunger strike until the prison authorities reversed the decision.
“Prisons demanded that Besigye’s food couldn’t come in, and he should buy from the canteen using prison staff,” Obigah noted.
The authorities’ demands and Besigye’s fears highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the treatment of detainees.
