Uganda's Kizza Besigye collapses in the dock as treason trial formally opens in Kampala
Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye collapsed in the High Court dock in Kampala on July 29 after protesting the commencement of his treason trial; the incident occurred as prosecutors began leading the first witness, US national Andrew Wilson, through testimony; Besigye was rushed to hospital; his wife Winnie Byanyima says his health is deteriorating
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Summary
Ugandan opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye collapsed in the dock at Uganda's High Court in Kampala on July 29 as his treason trial formally opened. The collapse occurred after Besigye protested that proceedings should not begin before the court resolved an unspecified pending matter. Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka had just started leading the first prosecution witness, US national Andrew Wilson, through testimony when Besigye fell. He was rushed to hospital. Besigye's wife, UNAids executive director Winnie Byanyima, has said his health is failing. The treason case stems from Besigye's detention since late 2024, when he was taken from Kenya and brought back to Uganda.
Why it matters
Besigye is Uganda's best-known opposition figure and has run for president four times against President Yoweri Museveni. His collapse in court, coming as the substantive trial finally opened, draws fresh international attention to his health and the conditions of his detention. The first prosecution witness is a US national, raising questions about the nature of the alleged treason and potential foreign-intelligence dimensions of the case.
What to watch
- Besigye's medical condition and whether the court accepts any fitness-to-plead challenge
- The content of prosecution witness Andrew Wilson's testimony and what treason charges it is meant to support
- International pressure from Winnie Byanyima's UNAids position and other global advocates on Uganda to allow Besigye independent medical evaluation