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Dr. Kizza Besigye
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Kampala
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has announced that the Parliamentary Opposition Caucus has resolved to use the floor of Parliament to intensify pressure on the government to release Dr. Kizza Besigye and other prisoners detained by the General Court Martial. This follows a Supreme Court judgment ordering the release of these prisoners and the transfer of their cases to civilian courts.
During today’s plenary session, the Speaker of Parliament, Anitah Among, temporarily suspended the House for 10 minutes after instituting an ad hoc committee comprising top government and opposition members to deliberate on the continued detention of Dr. Besigye and other political prisoners under the military court-martial.
When plenary resumed, Speaker Among called on Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, to provide a clear timeline on when the government plans to transfer the prisoners' files to the civilian courts and to update the House on Dr. Besigye’s health status.
Speaker Among expressed concern over Besigye’s ongoing hunger strike, stating:
"Dr. Besigye is not on a hunger strike because he wants to be. He is on a hunger strike because he believes he is being unfairly treated in an unfair trial. As a House of Representatives, we are the voice of the voiceless."
In his response, Hon. Norbert Mao acknowledged that hunger strikes have historically been used as a form of protest by prisoners who feel they have been wrongly incarcerated. However, he emphasized that his focus was not on the reason behind Besigye’s hunger strike but rather on ensuring justice is served.
Mao, who had earlier spoken with the Commissioner General of Prisons, provided updates on Besigye’s condition, revealing that:
Akena backs Besigye’s protest, MP Komakech questions his mental health
Former First Son and UPC President, Jimmy Akena, voiced support for Besigye’s decision to go on hunger strike, arguing that it was his only available tool to protest against political oppression. Akena urged Ugandans to reflect on the increasing interference of security forces in political affairs, warning that any opposition figure could face a similar fate.
"The option Dr. Besigye has taken is a real one for any of us who might find ourselves incarcerated for whatever reason. Today, it is Besigye; tomorrow, it could be me or anyone else facing the same situation," Akena remarked.
However, Aruu County MP, Christopher Komakech, questioned Besigye’s mental state, suggesting that his decision to starve himself could indicate suicidal tendencies and possible mental illness. Komakech urged Besigye’s lawyers and family to ensure he receives psychiatric medical assistance.
The debate on Besigye’s detention and hunger strike continues to stir controversy, with the opposition vowing to push for his release while the government maintains silence on the matter.
Torch Media Africa
