The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has raised concern over the health of its leaders Dr Kizza Besigye and Erias Lukwago, saying both were taken from prison to medical facilities after their health conditions deteriorated.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the opposition group said Besigye was transferred from Luzira Maximum Security Prison to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) Hospital on Friday night following what it described as a rapid deterioration in his health.
“Following a rapid and severe deterioration in his health condition, Dr Kizza Besigye was on Friday night moved from Luzira Maximum Security Prison to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) Hospital,” PFF said.
The group said Besigye remains in an “extremely frail state” and requires specialised medical care that, in its view, cannot adequately be provided within prison facilities.
PFF also said its Executive Chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago, was on Sunday taken from Murchison Bay Prison to an undisclosed medical facility after his health condition reportedly worsened.
“Today, our Executive Chairman, Counsel Erias Lukwago, has abruptly been rushed out of Murchison Bay Prison to a medical facility after his health critically worsened. We are currently verifying his exact location and medical status,” the statement said.
The group said the developments had heightened concerns about the health and safety of the two opposition figures while in state custody.
PFF accused the State and the judiciary of repeatedly disregarding what it described as urgent, evidence-backed applications for medical bail. The group said the applications had cited the leaders’ age and serious medical conditions.
“The lives, safety and physical well-being of our leaders rest entirely in the hands of the State,” PFF said.
The opposition group called for Besigye and Lukwago to be given immediate and unrestricted access to specialised medical care and for both men to be released unconditionally.
PFF did not disclose the specific medical conditions being treated or provide details of Lukwago’s medical status, saying it was still verifying his location and condition.
Besigye and Lukwago are currently on remand in connection with treason and misprision of treason respectively.
Besigye is accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government. Lukwago, who has represented Besigye as his lawyer is accused of knowing about the purported plot but failing to report it.
