Veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has called off his hunger strike following his formal arraignment before a magistrate’s court.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, announced the development on social media, stating that Besigye had begun taking fluids and fruits and would gradually transition to solid food.
“Greetings from Dr Kizza Besigye at Luzira Maximum Security Prison. He has called off his hunger strike now that (President) Museveni and his son, the army chief, have finally brought a charge against him in a civilian court,” she stated.
“He is very weak but has started to take fluids and fruits and will move on to solid food gradually. Dr Besigye is innocent and confident he will be found so. Thank you all for standing with him—your pressure forced this rogue regime to respect his rights! We will meet them in court. Tutakutana!” Byanyima posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and prominent opposition figure, had been on a hunger strike, protesting his prolonged detention without charge.
His lawyer, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, confirmed that Besigye had ended his strike after the government formally charged him.
“And now that Dr Besigye has been formally arraigned before the magistrate’s court on charges of treason, he has decided to call off the hunger strike. He was protesting his illegal detention since January 31, during which no formal charges were filed against him. Today, they have finally brought him before the court and secured a remand warrant,” Lukwago told journalists outside the court.
Lukwago emphasised that the legal team was now focused on securing Besigye’s release.
“We are proceeding with processing his bail application. We want it filed today, and we are engaging the court registrar to ensure the paperwork is executed and commissioned in time,” he added.