🔥 Trending Ugandan Politician Besigye Collapses in Court

Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye collapsed in court on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, during his treason trial in Kampala ²³⁷. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital and is reportedly in an intensive care unit (ICU) ⁵.

Details of the Incident

The incident occurred at the High Court in Kampala during a court session where Besigye and his co-accused were on trial ³⁶. Court proceedings were temporarily halted following his collapse ³⁴. Prison warders placed Besigye into an ambulance to transport him for emergency medical attention ²⁴. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed that he was admitted to an ICU in Kampala ⁵.

Background of the Trial

Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, is facing treason charges ¹². These charges stem from his disappearance in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024, after which he was presented before a military tribunal in Kampala on charges related to threatening national security ¹⁷. The case was later transferred to a civilian court and amended to treason, which carries the death penalty in Uganda ¹⁷.

Events Leading to the Collapse

Prior to his collapse, Besigye had reportedly been protesting a court decision to compel him to be represented by state-appointed lawyers ⁶⁸. He also questioned whether the court had already ruled on an application seeking a stay of the criminal proceedings without hearing it ⁹. Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the High Court Criminal Division had declined to halt the treason trial despite Besigye's objections regarding legal representation ¹⁰. The judge insisted that the trial proceed ⁸¹⁰.