Winnie Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS and wife of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, has vowed to camp at Luzira Maximum Prison if authorities deny her access to her husband. Besigye, currently on remand over allegations of possessing firearms in a foreign country, has become the center of controversy after the Uganda Prisons Service announced restrictions on prison visits during the holiday period, from December 24 to January 3, 2025.
Byanyima, addressing the media from her Kasangati home, expressed deep mistrust of the prison authorities, claiming the restrictions could compromise her husband’s safety. While she acknowledged a conversation with Johnson Byabashaija, the Commissioner General of Prisons, who reportedly allowed her to visit Besigye under special circumstances, she criticized the selective nature of the concession.
“I cannot accept such changes to prison protocols without questioning their motives. There is every reason to believe this is about isolating Dr. Besigye, and I will not stand by,” Byanyima said.
Byanyima also highlighted her concerns about a sudden administrative reshuffle at Luzira, where a junior officer appointed in 2020 replaced the experienced Office in Charge, Mbaziira. She questioned the timing and rationale behind the change, suggesting it may be tied to Besigye’s detention.
In response, Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine dismissed the allegations, stating that the administration had autonomy over its decisions. “We don’t take directives from individuals. If she wants a special permit to visit her husband, she can apply for it. But she can’t dictate how we operate,” Baine remarked.
Byanyima revealed her plans to deliver writing materials to Besigye so he could authorize Martha Karua, a prominent Kenyan politician, and another undisclosed Kenyan lawyer to lead his legal team. She reiterated Besigye’s refusal to seek bail, as he contests the jurisdiction of the Court Martial over his case.
“Dr. Besigye believes the Court Martial lacks the authority to try civilians like him and Obed Lutale. We are focused on transferring his case to a civilian court, where we can expose the fabricated nature of these charges,” she stated.
Byanyima also declined to disclose details about a British national allegedly involved in Besigye’s arrest in Nairobi last month. Instead, she emphasized her efforts to ensure a fair legal process, dismissing the charges against Besigye as politically motivated.
The Uganda Prisons Service insists the restrictions are standard security measures implemented during the festive season. However, Byanyima has called on the government to reconsider the move, which she views as part of a broader strategy to intimidate and isolate political dissenters.
For now, all eyes remain on Luzira Maximum Prison, where the unfolding events continue to spark debate about justice, accountability, and the treatment of political detainees in Uganda.
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