Winnie Byanyima has criticised Uganda’s Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi over his visit to Dr Kizza Besigye at Mulago National Referral Hospital, raising concerns about patient rights and medical ethics.
Her remarks come shortly after Baryomunsi publicly confirmed that he had visited the opposition leader and stated that he was “steadily recuperating” following his recent collapse in court.
In a response, Byanyima questioned both the visit and the minister’s decision to publicly comment on Besigye’s condition.
“Chris Baryomunsi may be the Health Minister, but that does not give him the right to visit a patient who does not want to see him,” she said.
She further criticised the disclosure of Besigye’s health status, arguing that it breached fundamental principles of patient confidentiality.
“Nor does he have the right to publicly comment on a patient’s health condition without that patient’s consent,” Byanyima added.
Besigye, a longtime opposition figure and critic of President Yoweri Museveni, collapsed on July 29 during a court session linked to a treason case.
He was rushed to Mulago Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit, where early reports indicated he was unconscious and unresponsive.
While recent updates suggest he has been moved out of ICU and is recovering under close medical supervision, his condition has remained a subject of public and political scrutiny.
Byanyima accused the health minister of disregarding established medical standards in his handling of the situation.
“In his eagerness to serve his master, Baryomunsi seems willing to dispense with medical ethics, patient privacy and basic respect for others,” she said.
“A minister is not above a patient’s rights.”
Her comments add to growing tensions surrounding Besigye’s treatment and access to him during his hospital stay, with some allies previously raising concerns over restrictions on visitation