Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, spokesperson for the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), has raised alarm over the deteriorating health and prison conditions of veteran opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, who have been held in Luzira Prison since November 2024.
Ssemujju claims that Dr. Besigye is enduring harsh and degrading conditions, including severe bedbug infestations that have made his incarceration extremely uncomfortable. He further reported that Besigye is suffering from prolonged sleep deprivation, unable to rest properly due to the poor state of the prison environment.
He also criticized the limited nature of prison visits, explaining that Besigye is only allowed to communicate through a glass barrier and a call box, significantly hindering meaningful interaction. Ssemujju described the treatment as cruel and dehumanizing, warning that it poses serious risks to Besigye’s well-being.
In response to these developments, Ssemujju announced that the PFF is mobilizing to hold the Ugandan government accountable. He revealed plans to compile a record of all Members of Parliament from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) who supported the controversial UPDF Amendment Bill. According to the PFF, this legislation represents a direct threat to civilian freedoms by expanding the military’s influence in civilian matters.
The party condemned the bill’s passage, calling it a major setback for democratic governance in Uganda. The new law, passed amid intense debate, grants broader autonomy to the Uganda People’s Defence Force, enabling the military to operate more freely within civilian settings—an outcome that has sparked fears of increasing militarization.
As political tensions mount, the case of Dr. Besigye underscores the challenges faced by government critics. Opposition groups are intensifying their push for political reforms, accusing authorities of suppressing dissent and eroding democratic institutions.
The situation remains fluid, with growing calls for Besigye’s immediate release and humane treatment. Meanwhile, government officials insist that due process is being followed. The coming weeks could prove pivotal for Uganda’s political trajectory.