Dr Kizza Besigye, the detained Ugandan opposition leader, is receiving speech and physiotherapy to recover basic motor functions, according to the Nile Post. The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) stated that Besigye remains conscious with near-normal memory, though he has not yet regained his voice. PFF Acting President Dr Lulume Bayiga reported that during a visit on October 17 at a military facility in Lubowa, Besigye communicated by pointing to letters on an alphabet board. The party noted that a speech therapist guides him in pronunciation exercises while a physiotherapist assists with walking drills, without establishing a specific timeline for his full recovery.
Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura provided a detailed account of her visit, describing the physical challenges Besigye faces. Nyanjura observed that he struggles to hold a water bottle due to shaky hands and uses sign language when tired of tapping letters. She noted that a therapist uses a chart with simple terms like “dog” and “boy,” which Besigye attempts to pronounce. Despite these difficulties, Nyanjura said Besigye remained engaged in political discussion, telling her that the current climate felt like the 1890s and that “just staying alive is an achievement” under the present regime.
Besigye’s condition followed a collapse in Kampala’s High Court on July 29, 2026, during his treason trial. The Nile Post reported the incident occurred after a dispute over legal representation, leading to his admission to Mulago National Referral Hospital’s intensive care unit. He was originally detained in Kenya in late 2024 and brought to Uganda to face charges alongside co-accused Obeid Lutale. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has previously raised concerns about his medical care and access to a personal doctor.
The PFF indicated that Besigye’s immediate priority is securing bail to allow for further treatment before returning to court. Nyanjura also mentioned that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is held at the same facility, though the two have not yet met. Both accounts highlight the contrast between Besigye’s physical limitations and his continued mental sharpness, with party leadership and supporters expressing optimism about his resilience.