Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has revealed that detained Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye is undergoing rehabilitation and is currently unable to speak or walk independently following a medical emergency that left him in intensive care.
Nyanjura shared the update after visiting Besigye, saying she was heartbroken to find the veteran opposition politician relearning basic communication and mobility skills.
In a statement, she disclosed that Besigye was receiving speech therapy, with a therapist using a chart of simple words to help him regain his ability to pronounce words.
“He is now being taught how to walk and talk again,” Nyanjura said, adding that Besigye had not yet succeeded in pronouncing the words presented during the therapy sessions.
She explained that although Besigye could hear well, he was still unable to speak. He relied on an alphabetical chart to spell out words by tapping letters, which Nyanjura then assembled into sentences.
According to her, Besigye also used sign language when he became tired of communicating through the letter chart.
Despite his condition, Nyanjura described him as mentally alert, saying he could identify mistakes in her written notes and respond with humour during their conversation.
Besigye reportedly told her that his condition “could have been worse,” a response she said reflected his enduring spirit despite the challenges facing him.
Nyanjura also revealed that Besigye had difficulty holding a bottle of water because his hands were shaky and lacked strength.
The opposition leader could not recall exactly what happened during a court appearance, according to Nyanjura. He remembered waking up days later in the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
During their conversation, Besigye reportedly described Uganda as being back in the 1890s and encouraged supporters to remain strong. He also remarked that staying alive under the current regime was an achievement.
Nyanjura further disclosed that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was being treated at the same facility, although the two had not met. She said she informed Besigye about Lukwago's admission to Mulago.
Besigye's condition comes amid continued political attention surrounding his detention and health. His latest reported condition is likely to renew concern among opposition supporters about his recovery and access to appropriate medical care.
Nyanjura urged supporters to keep Besigye in their thoughts and prayers as he continues what she described as a difficult road to recovery.