Politics 20 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kizza Besigye Undergoing Intensive Rehabilitation After Court Collapse
Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is undergoing speech and physical therapy to regain his ability to walk and talk following a serious health incident in court. He collapsed and woke up in the ICU, with no memory of the event itself. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/besigye-learning-to-walk-and-talk-again-after-icu-stay-reveals-doreen-nyanjura-5639634
Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has provided an update on the health of veteran opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, revealing that he is currently undergoing intensive rehabilitation. Three months after collapsing during a court session and being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Dr. Besigye is learning to walk and speak again.
Nyanjura, who recently visited the jailed politician, described the emotional experience of seeing him guided by a speech therapist through basic exercises. Dr. Besigye, 70, reportedly does not recall the moments leading up to his collapse and only remembers waking up in Mulago National Referral Hospital’s ICU. Despite his physical challenges, including difficulty speaking and limited mobility, his mental acuity remains sharp.
Communication has become a significant hurdle, with Dr. Besigye relying on an alphabetical chart to spell out messages and employing sign language when fatigued. His hands are too weak to hold objects like a water bottle. Yet, he conveyed a message of resilience to Nyanjura, stating, “it could have been worse.”
During the visit, Nyanjura also informed Dr. Besigye about the health status of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who is also undergoing treatment at the same hospital. The two leaders have not yet had the opportunity to meet.
Dr. Besigye offered a grim assessment of Uganda’s current political climate, likening it to the 1890s and emphasizing that survival under the present regime is an accomplishment. He urged his supporters to remain steadfast during these difficult times.
Dr. Besigye has been in custody since November 2024, facing treason charges he and his allies describe as politically motivated. His collapse occurred during a court session where he was protesting trial proceedings after his lead counsel was expelled and his co-counsel arrested. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has been critical of the circumstances of his detention and the ongoing trial, dismissing reports of negotiations for his release.