Ugandan Opposition Figure Besigye Unable To Speak, Write, May Struggle To Participate In Defence, Medical Report Says

 

A medical report on detained Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye has raised fresh concerns over his ability to meaningfully participate in his ongoing court proceedings, saying his inability to speak or write may substantially interfere with his defence.

The report, dated August 16, 2026, was prepared by Senior Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Nalugya Joyce Sserunjogi and Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Julius Muron following an assessment of Besigye at Luzira Staff Hospital.

The assessment was conducted at the request of the Commissioner General of Prisons to determine whether the 70-year-old opposition politician was mentally fit to stand trial and whether he could understand the proceedings and participate in his defence. 

The report found that Besigye remained alert, oriented and able to comprehend spoken information, despite being unable to speak or write.

According to the doctors, Besigye communicated during the assessment by pointing to individual letters and numbers. His responses were described as consistent and relevant to the questions put to him. 

The medical assessment further stated that there was no evidence of a major psychiatric disorder independently affecting his ability to understand or participate in legal proceedings.

However, it warned that his communication difficulties could significantly limit his ability to participate in his defence.

The report stated that Besigye’s principal current functional difficulty was his inability to speak following a reported syncopal episode, while his comprehension remained preserved. 

“Dr Kizza Besigye demonstrates preserved comprehension but has an expressive communication impairment (speech and writing),” the report stated.

“However, his current communication impairment may substantially interfere with his ability to participate in his defence, and he may require further intervention before he can meaningfully participate in court proceedings.”

The doctors recommended that Besigye undergo a formal communication assessment by a speech and language specialist to determine the most reliable method of communication.

They also recommended that he be given sufficient time to formulate responses through his alternative communication method if required to attend court, while continuing speech, language, physical, occupational and neurological rehabilitation. 

The report comes amid concerns over how Besigye’s case is being handled and the conditions under which he is participating in court proceedings.

A journalist and activist Ronald Muhinda, in a post on X accompanying the medical document, alleged that Besigye had previously opposed Emmanuel Baguma handling his case and requested that he recuse himself.

Muhinda alleged that Besigye’s applications before Baguma had been rejected and linked the opposition politician’s collapse in court to what he described as the judge’s “poor judgement.”

He also questioned why the conclusions of doctors at Mulago Hospital were allegedly not being considered.

The medical report, however, does not make any finding on judicial conduct or whether any particular judge should recuse himself. Its assessment is focused on Besigye’s psychiatric condition, communication ability and fitness to participate in the trial.

The report noted that Besigye suffered a syncope attack, described as occurring after prolonged standing and an emotional outburst while in court.

It said that following the episode, he became unable to speak and write. Medical records also showed previous treatment for hypertension and hand tremors. 

During the psychiatric assessment, Besigye was described as alert and cooperative, maintaining appropriate eye contact and making efforts to participate despite his communication difficulties.

 

 

The doctors found that he appeared oriented to person, place and time, while his comprehension of verbal information was preserved.

 

 

They also reported no evidence of delusions, marked suspiciousness, suicidal or homicidal thoughts, or perceptual disturbances based on information obtained through his alternative communication method. 

 

 

However, the assessment found that Besigye’s ability to provide detailed instructions to his lawyers was limited because he could neither speak nor write.

 

 

His ability to follow court proceedings, retain relevant information and make relevant decisions was considered preserved, while some aspects of his ability to communicate preferences and work with his defence counsel required further assessment. 

The development comes amid continued international concern over the treatment of Besigye and those representing him.

SaharaReporters reported in June 2026 that Kenyan lawyer and Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who serves as lead counsel for Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale, was reportedly detained at Entebbe International Airport after Ugandan authorities denied her entry into the country.

According to a statement from Karua’s Executive Office at the time, she had travelled from Kenya to Uganda to attend a court ruling on a bail application involving another Ugandan opposition figure.

The statement alleged that immigration officials stopped and detained Karua while her colleague, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, Charles Kanjama, was allowed into the country.