Dr Kizza Besigye driven to hospital
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Government has been adamant that Dr Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential aspirant, be tried in the courts of law despite his health condition.
But dramatic scenes unfolded at the High Court in Kampala on Wednesday (20th July 2026), after the veteran opposition leader collapsed in the dock and was rushed to hospital, raising fresh concerns over his fitness to stand trial.
The proceedings in the high-profile treason case came to an abrupt halt after Besigye suddenly collapsed while protesting the legality of the trial and questioning the circumstances under which the case was proceeding.
The incident unfolded moments after the prosecution informed court that it was ready to begin presenting its case, with its first witness prepared to testify.
Courtroom protest
Before the witness could take the stand, Besigye stood up and launched into a lengthy protest, insisting that the proceedings were unconstitutional because he and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, were not being represented by lawyers of their choice.
For several minutes, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader loudly challenged the court, arguing that the trial should not continue before outstanding issues regarding legal representation had been resolved.
He referred to Application No. 248, which was filed to address concerns surrounding the appointment of state-funded lawyers for him and Lutale. According to Besigye, the application had been assigned to Justice Simon Kinobe by the Principal Judge, with a ruling expected on August 13.
He argued that allowing the application to be determined first would safeguard their constitutional right to choose competent legal representation before facing trial on capital offences.
Besigye also questioned the process through which lawyers had been identified for state-funded representation, noting that an initial pool of 786 advocates had been narrowed to 227 Kampala-based lawyers whose qualifications were still under review.
He expressed concern that the three lawyers previously appointed had not demonstrated sufficient experience in handling complex capital offences such as treason, maintaining that the charges against him required seasoned advocates fully committed to his defence.
The retired colonel further claimed that lawyers who had previously represented him effectively had later been interfered with by the state.
The collapse
As he continued objecting to the proceedings and protesting the testimony of the prosecution’s first witness, Besigye suddenly collapsed inside the dock.
His fall sent the courtroom into confusion.
Prison officers immediately rushed to his aid, surrounded him and lifted him from the dock before carrying him into the court holding cells as judicial officers briefly suspended the hearing.
The dramatic turn of events triggered a confrontation between members of Besigye’s legal team and prison warders as attempts were made to gain access to him.
Doctors blocked
Reports indicated that security personnel blocked independent doctors who were present in court from immediately examining the opposition leader, further heightening tensions inside the courtroom.
With proceedings suspended, medical personnel were called in to attend to Besigye before he was wheeled out of the court premises and loaded into an ambulance.
He was subsequently rushed to hospital for further medical attention as supporters, lawyers and relatives anxiously awaited updates on his condition.
The collapse is likely to intensify debate surrounding Besigye’s continued prosecution, particularly amid longstanding concerns raised by his lawyers and political allies regarding his health.
It also raises fresh legal questions about whether the trial can continue before the unresolved application concerning legal representation is determined.
The prosecution had been prepared to begin leading evidence against Besigye and Lutale, but Wednesday’s proceedings ended before the first witness could testify.
Court to issue stand
The court is now expected to determine the next course of action once Besigye’s medical condition is assessed and after considering the implications of the interrupted proceedings.
His collapse comes at a critical stage of the treason case and is expected to fuel renewed calls from supporters and human rights advocates for greater consideration of his health and constitutional rights as the judicial process continues.
Whether the incident will delay the hearing or influence pending applications remains to be seen, but the dramatic courtroom scenes have once again placed Besigye’s trial at the centre of national political and legal attention.
Habari Daily’s efforts to get details of Besigye’s condition or the hospital to which he was taken were futile as officials remained tight lipped.
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