Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has dismissed the hunger strike of detained opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, calling it “unprincipled blackmail” in a statement addressing growing concerns from the public.
Museveni asserted that Besigye is facing serious charges and cannot use a hunger strike as a means to gain public sympathy or to seek bail. The president emphasized that Besigye’s health concerns were being addressed appropriately, with medical attention from both government hospital staff and his personal doctors, who have also taken him to private clinics.
“On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a government hospital in the prison,” Museveni said. “Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the government would be advised.”
However, Museveni pointed out that Besigye’s weakness, evident in recent media photos, was likely due to his ongoing hunger strike, which he described as a tactic to generate sympathy in hopes of securing bail.
“Is that not unprincipled blackmail?” Museveni questioned. “How can you be accused of serious crimes, and then your response is a hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail, etc.?”
The president urged Ugandans to focus on the reasons for Besigye’s detention, explaining that he was arrested for actions he was planning to undertake. Museveni further stated that Besigye has the option to expedite his trial if he is innocent, noting that the military court had been ready to proceed but had faced delays due to identified gaps in the legal process, leading to the case’s transfer to a civilian court.
“Who slowed down the trial process? It is the courts that pointed out some gaps in the military courts and ordered the transfer of the cases to civilian courts,” Museveni said. “The concerned people are, therefore, working on two fronts: transferring the files to the civilian courts and addressing the gaps in the military courts.”
Museveni reiterated that if Besigye believes in his innocence, he should demand a swift trial rather than seeking bail or forgiveness. “If you are innocent, why do you not demand a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are ‘persecuting’ you, instead of demanding bail, forgiveness, as if serious crime is entitled to holidays?” the president challenged. “The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court.”
The ongoing legal process for Besigye is now in the hands of the civilian courts, with the government awaiting their decision.
