Dr Kizza Besigye today appeared before Buganda Road Magistrates Court but his physical outlook sent many people into whispers.
Dressed in a checkered shirt, a frail-looking Besigye kept glancing at people from the dock without his usual demeanor and confidence. It was clear that he had lost weight. Many people at the court were shocked and some of his supporters shed tears.
Besigye and Lubega Mukaaku stand accused of inciting violence in 2022. However, he remains detained at Luzira owing to other charges leveled against him by the General Court Martial.
For days, he has been on a hunger strike and relatives who had visited him claimed that his health had deteriorated. Many people including his lawyers had pleaded for his release but prison authorities said they can manage his health condition.
At court his lawyer Erias Lukwago insisted that Besigye needed to be given bail.
“You know Besigye. He is a very strong man. But from his appearance today, any observer could tell that he is not well. It is devastating to us,” Lukwago told journalists.
Besigye was sent back to Luzira but the magistrate, Winnie Nankya said she would give a ruling this case on February 20.
