Byanyima said Besigye was transferred after dark to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) hospital along Entebbe Road, about 10 kilometres from Kampala.

She said the 70-year-old opposition leader remained severely weak and continued to struggle with basic movements and communication following his health problems in recent months.

“After dark, Dr Kizza Besigye was moved from Luzira Prison to JCRC hospital today. He is still very weak. He struggles to walk, speak, write or even hold anything steadily,” Byanyima said.

Besigye’s health has been a concern since he collapsed during a court session in Kampala on July 29 while attending proceedings in his treason case.

He was subsequently taken by ambulance to the Intensive Care Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital, where his family said he remained unconscious and unresponsive to pain stimuli for several days before his condition improved.

Besigye spent about 10 days at Mulago before being transferred back to Luzira Prison on August 7. His family later said he remained extremely weak and had difficulty walking and speaking.

On August 24, Byanyima said Besigye had been returned from the prison hospital to his cell, while his sisters, who had been caring for him, were sent away.

A medical assessment conducted after his July collapse found that Besigye remained alert and able to understand information but had difficulty speaking and writing. Doctors recommended continued speech, language, physical, occupational and neurological rehabilitation.

The family has asked Ugandan authorities to allow Besigye to travel to Geneva, Switzerland, for specialised medical care and support from his family. They have also raised concerns about chronic complications affecting his lungs and spine, which they say have been worsened by prison conditions.

Besigye has been in custody since November 2024 after being arrested in Kenya alongside Hajj Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola. They face treason-related charges stemming from allegations that they travelled to Kenya and held meetings aimed at plotting to overthrow the Ugandan government. The three have denied the allegations.

His trial has continued despite his health challenges, with the court allowing proceedings to proceed in his absence on medical grounds.