Dr. Kizza Besigye has gone five days without food, sparking growing fears over his worsening health as he continues his hunger strike in protest of what his family calls illegal detention.

His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has sounded the alarm after visiting him in Luzira Maximum Security Prison, describing his condition as alarming and his detention as an act of kidnapping.

“Kizza Besigye is weak, has lost alarming weight, and is dizzy—he hasn’t eaten in five days. This is not just illegal detention; it is kidnapping,” said Byanyima in a statement on Monday night.

Byanyima said she found Besigye lying on a small bed in an isolated dark corridor behind six or seven locked doors, a section she was told is reserved for suspected terrorists.

His only possessions, she said, were a “pile of old newspapers and two cardboard boxes.”

Government: ‘No Need for Alarm’

Despite the mounting fears, the Presidency has dismissed concerns, urging the family to convince Besigye to eat rather than raising alarm.

Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Faruk Kirunda acknowledged that Besigye was on a hunger strike but insisted that there was no reason to panic.

“I appreciate the concerns on Dr. Besigye’s case and sympathize with the family. However, there is no need for alarm but rather understanding of what has to be done,” said Kirunda.

He added that Besigye is not in military detention and that steps are being taken to transfer his case from the General Court Martial to a civilian court, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

“Besigye is in Luzira, and the family can visit him normally in consultation with the prison authorities. If he is on hunger strike, the family should encourage him to accept nourishment as his legal team prepares to secure for him bail or any other relief,” Kirunda emphasised.

Byanyima Slams Baryomunsi’s ‘PR Visit’

Byanyima also lashed out at ICT Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, who claimed after visiting Besigye that he had encouraged him to eat and found him in stable condition.

She dismissed the visit as a PR stunt, revealing that Besigye never spoke to Baryomunsi and was forced into the meeting.

“Besigye made it clear—he neither invited nor consented to seeing Mr. Baryomunsi. A prison officer forced him into the room. Mr. Baryomunsi lied about having a conversation— Besigye remained completely silent in protest.”

She accused Baryomunsi of serving as a propaganda tool for Museveni rather than addressing the real issue: Besigye’s illegal detention and failing health.

“Mr. Baryomunsi declared Besigye ‘well’—acting as nothing more than a PR officer for President Museveni…”

Protests Grow 

As Besigye’s hunger strike enters its sixth day, protests demanding his release are escalating.

On Monday, police arrested multiple activists, including Deputy Lord Mayor Nyanjura Doreen and Ingrid Turinawe, accusing them of inciting violence during a demonstration calling for Besigye’s freedom.

National Unity Platform (NUP) head of mobilisation Fred Nyanzi, who is a brother of Robert Kyagulanyi and party deputy spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro were also arrested.

This was after NUP issued a joint statement with other heads of opposition parties, giving president Museveni an ultimatum of 48 hours to release Dr Besigye.