By Milton Were Ugandan opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye remains unable to speak or write more than three weeks after collapsing during his treason trial , according to a medical assessment, raising fresh questions over whether proceedings against him should continue while he is unable to meaningfully participate in his defence. A psychiatric assessment conducted on August 16 found that the veteran opposition leader remains mentally alert and capable of understanding information but has an expressive communication impairment affecting both speech and writing . Crucially, the medical assessment warned that Besigye's condition could substantially interfere with his ability to participate in his own defence and that further intervention may be necessary before he can meaningfully take part in court proceedings. Despite his continued absence, High Court Judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma has allowed the treason proceedings to continue, with prosecution witness Wilson Orlando giving evidence against Besigye. The development has intensified concerns among Besigye's supporters over his health, continued detention and ability to receive a fair trial. Besigye Collapsed in Court Besigye collapsed during proceedings in Kampala on July 29, 2026 , while standing trial on treason charges. Reuters reported at the time that he was removed from court by ambulance before being admitted to the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital. His wife, Winnie Byanyima , subsequently said that he was unconscious and unable to speak following the incident. His collapse occurred amid a dispute over his legal representation. Besigye had objected to proceedings continuing without lawyers of his choosing after his lead attorney, Erias Lukwago, was detained. The Uganda Law Society subsequently expressed concern about the incident and called upon the judiciary to safeguard Besigye's constitutional right to a fair and public hearing. Medical Assessment Raises Questions Over Fair Trial The latest medical findings potentially deepen that controversy. Being able to understand proceedings is only one element of effectively participating in a criminal trial. An accused person must also be capable of communicating with lawyers, giving instructions and responding meaningfully to evidence being presented against them. According to the reported medical assessment, Besigye's comprehension remains intact, but his inability to speak or write may substantially interfere with his defence. That assessment now puts the spotlight on the decision to continue receiving prosecution evidence while Besigye remains absent. The court had earlier sought medical information after his hospitalisation to help determine whether he was fit to continue standing trial. Bobi Wine Condemns Continuation of Trial Opposition leader Bobi Wine has strongly condemned the proceedings, accusing the Ugandan government and judiciary of subjecting Besigye to injustice. In a statement following circulation of the latest medical information, Bobi Wine argued that continuing to hear prosecution testimony against a defendant unable to speak or write amounted to a serious violation of Besigye's rights. He further called on Ugandans to oppose what he described as injustice through lawful means . His accusations against the government and Justice Baguma are political allegations and have not been independently established. Besigye and his supporters have repeatedly maintained that the treason prosecution is politically motivated. The government has previously rejected allegations that its treatment of opposition figures amounts to political persecution. Months of Detention and Legal Battles Besigye has been in custody since November 2024 after he and his aide Obeid Lutale were detained in Kenya and subsequently taken to Uganda. They were eventually charged with treason and have denied the accusations. His lawyers, political allies and human-rights campaigners have repeatedly questioned the circumstances surrounding his detention and prosecution. The latest controversy, however, goes beyond the political arguments surrounding the case. It raises a fundamental legal question: Can a defendant receive a fair trial when a medical assessment says he cannot speak or write and that the impairment may substantially prevent him from participating in his defence? For Besigye's supporters, the answer is clear: proceedings should not continue until he is medically capable of participating fully. With his health now at the centre of one of Uganda's most closely watched political trials, pressure is likely to grow on the judiciary and prison authorities to demonstrate that Besigye's medical condition and fair-trial rights are being adequately protected.
