Gen Salim Saleh has revealed that jailed opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye was in a coma when he encountered him in custody at Luzira Prison, prompting him to intervene and push for his transfer to receive specialised medical treatment. Saleh said he was concerned that Besigye could die in prison if he did not receive urgent medical attention.
According to Saleh, the decision to intervene followed information he received about Besigye’s deteriorating condition. He explained that the situation required immediate action because the opposition leader needed medical care beyond what could be provided within the prison facility.
Saleh said his involvement was also triggered by a public communication from the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, on X. In the communication, Muhoozi reportedly entrusted him with handling Besigye’s situation, prompting him to take up the matter.
The retired general said he moved to ensure that Besigye was transferred from Luzira Prison for specialised medical attention. His account suggests that the intervention was driven by concerns about the opposition figure’s life and the need to prevent a further deterioration of his health.
Besigye, a former presidential candidate and long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has spent an extended period in detention following his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024. He was subsequently brought to Uganda and charged with treason alongside his aide, Obeid Lutale, and retired UPDF officer Capt Denis Oola. The accused have denied the charges.
His detention and health have attracted considerable public attention, with his family, lawyers and supporters repeatedly raising concerns about his welfare and access to proper medical care. His case has also become part of wider debates about the treatment of political detainees and the protection of their rights.
Saleh’s latest account offers a new perspective on the discussions and interventions surrounding Besigye’s medical condition while in custody. However, further details about when he allegedly found Besigye in a coma, the medical assessment at the time and the exact circumstances of the transfer would be important in establishing the full picture.
The revelation is likely to renew attention on Besigye’s health, his continued detention and the circumstances under which he has received medical treatment. It also raises questions about the role played by senior government and military figures in responding to the concerns surrounding his welfare.
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