Fresh concerns have emerged over the health of veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye after activist Doreen Nyanjura shared an emotional account of his condition following a visit. Nyanjura revealed that Besigye is undergoing rehabilitation to regain his ability to walk and speak, describing the challenges he faces as he continues his recovery.
In her account, Nyanjura said she was deeply shocked and saddened by Besigye’s condition when she found him undergoing speech exercises. He was reportedly being assisted using a chart containing simple words, including “dog” and “boy,” as part of efforts to help him regain his ability to communicate verbally.
Although Besigye can hear and appears mentally alert, Nyanjura said he has not yet regained his ability to speak. Instead, he reportedly communicates by tapping letters on an alphabetical chart, allowing people around him to understand his messages. When he becomes tired, he uses sign language to communicate with visitors.
Nyanjura also described the physical difficulties Besigye is experiencing, revealing that his hands shake and he struggles to perform some basic activities independently. She said he cannot comfortably hold a bottle of water on his own, a situation that highlights the challenges he faces as he undergoes rehabilitation.
According to Nyanjura, Besigye remembers waking up in the intensive care unit at Mulago Hospital days after the events surrounding his court appearance. However, he reportedly does not clearly remember what happened in court, raising further questions about his recollection of the events preceding his hospitalisation.
Despite his condition, Nyanjura said Besigye demonstrated that his mind remained sharp during their conversation. When she expressed shock at seeing him in that state, he reportedly responded that “it could have been worse,” suggesting that he remained aware of his condition and the difficulties he was facing.
The opposition leader also reportedly shared his thoughts about Uganda’s political situation, telling Nyanjura that the country was “back in the 1890s.” He further encouraged his supporters to remain resilient, while his remarks reflected his continuing concern about the country’s political direction despite the personal challenges he is experiencing.
Nyanjura’s account has renewed concern about Besigye’s wellbeing, with reports of his struggles to speak, walk and perform everyday activities attracting attention. Although details about his full medical condition and recovery prospects remain unclear from her account, the revelations have left many supporters concerned about the health of one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures.
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