Uganda Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Collapses in Court During Treason Trial

Uganda's veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, 70, collapsed during a High Court session in Kampala on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, in a dramatic incident that has heightened concerns over his deteriorating health while in detention.

According to a senior official from the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), Dr. Besigye collapsed inside the dock during the highly publicized court proceedings and was immediately taken away in a prison ambulance for emergency medical attention.

The incident unfolded as Besigye appeared before the High Court to face treason charges linked to allegations that he plotted to overthrow the government of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. The veteran opposition politician has denied the accusations, while his legal team has maintained that the charges are politically motivated.

His sudden collapse has reignited debate over the conditions under which he has been held since his arrest. Besigye's lawyers and supporters have repeatedly accused authorities of subjecting him to inhumane detention conditions, claims that the government has consistently rejected.

The opposition leader's health has reportedly been in decline for months, with his condition worsening after he previously embarked on a hunger strike to protest his detention and treatment. Human rights organizations, opposition figures, and sections of the international community have repeatedly expressed concern over his well-being and called for his rights to be protected.

Witnesses in court said proceedings were briefly disrupted after Besigye appeared visibly weak before collapsing. Security personnel and prison officers quickly responded before he was transported to a medical facility in a prison ambulance.

The development has sparked renewed calls from opposition leaders and civil society groups for authorities to ensure Besigye receives immediate specialized medical care and is accorded due process under the law.

Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and one of President Museveni's longest-serving political rivals, has remained a central figure in Uganda's opposition politics for more than two decades. His legal troubles have frequently attracted international attention, with critics arguing that the cases reflect broader concerns about political freedoms and democratic space in Uganda.

As of Wednesday evening, prison authorities had not released an official update on Besigye's medical condition following his collapse.

The case continues to draw widespread attention both within Uganda and internationally as concerns grow over the health of one of the country's most prominent opposition figures.