The Uganda Prisons Service has strongly denied allegations that Col (Rtd.) Dr Kizza Besigye, the detained opposition leader, has been denied food brought from outside Luzira Murchison Bay prison.
Frank Baine, the spokesperson for Uganda Prisons, clarified that access to external food is a privilege, not a right, and is governed by specific legal conditions outlined in the Prisons Act.
These remarks follow claims by Kampala deputy mayor Doreen Nyanjura and Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, that he has chosen to starve after mistrusting food from the prison canteen and being barred from receiving provisions brought by family and allies.
Nyanjura claimed that Besigye was forced to choose between eating prison food or starving. According to her, items such as posho, rice, millet flour, and other provisions brought by Besigye’s family and allies were rejected by prison authorities. She also alleged that Besigye, who has been vocal about his concerns, was being denied the opportunity to physically meet visitors and interact with other inmates. She described his treatment as “a prison within a prison.”
Baine denied the claims, stating, “We have 80,000 inmates, and our duty is to keep them, not to kill them. Prisoners are entitled to food as outlined in the law, and no one is denied exercise or access to basic needs.” He emphasized that all prisoners, including Dr Besigye, are treated according to Uganda’s Prisons Act and the institution’s standing orders.
FOOD POLICIES IN UGANDAN PRISONS
Baine cited Section 69 of the Prisons Act, which mandates that every prisoner be provided with food that is nutritious, wholesome, and adequate to maintain health and strength. He said the law does not require prisons to accept food brought by relatives or friends. However, under certain conditions outlined in the standing orders, unconvicted prisoners like Besigye may receive food from outside, but only if the cost is covered by the prisoner or their associates.
According to Baine, standing orders allow external food only if the prisoner gives prior notice and complies with procedures set by the officer in charge. He explained, “This is not a buyer-seller market where visitors dictate the terms. All items must meet the prescribed conditions to be allowed inside the prison.”
Baine also addressed accusations that Besigye was being denied physical exercise, stating that such claims were baseless. He noted that complaints from prisoners, if any, are handled through established procedures.
LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS SURROUNDING BESIGYE
Besigye is currently on remand at Luzira prison, facing multiple charges. Initially charged with unlawful possession of firearms, the case was recently amended to include treason. According to the prosecution, Besigye, along with Haji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), allegedly held meetings in cities such as Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi between October 2023 and November 2024.
These meetings were purportedly aimed at planning attacks on military targets in Uganda and seeking logistical sup- port for destabilization.
Additionally, Besigye and Lutale were allegedly found in possession of two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi—items classified as the monopoly of the Defence Forces. The prosecution contends that these activities pose a threat to Uganda’s national security.
PRISONS’ PERSPECTIVE ON THE CLAIMS
Baine dismissed allegations of mistreatment as “outrageous” and without merit. He stated that the government’s role is to enforce the law and ensure prisoners are treated within the guidelines provided by the Prisons Act.
“The idea that we are trying to kill someone in prison is ridiculous. We do not deny anyone food or basic rights, but the law outlines how these rights are managed,” Baine said.
He said that Uganda Prisons Service operates under strict legal provisions, including Section 68 of the Prisons Act, which mandates that all prisoners comply with prison discipline and regulations during their detention.
“Whether it is Dr Besigye or any other prisoner, everyone must be managed according to the law,” Baine added.
CONTEXT BEHIND BESIGYE’S DETENTION
Dr Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition leader and former bush war soldier, has been a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s government. His detention has sparked public debate, with supporters alleging political persecution. While the government has maintained that the charges against him are based on evidence, opposition figures argue that the case is politically motivated.
Amid these tensions, Baine urged the public to allow Uganda Prisons Service to perform its duties without undue interference. “We have been managing prisons for decades. Please let us do our work,” he concluded.
PRISONS MANAGEMENT: PROFESSIONALISM OVER POLITICS
Baine emphasized that the management of prisons is governed strictly by professional guidelines, not political influence. Baine clarified that the rules and regulations under the Prisons Act, along with standing orders, are strictly followed to ensure discipline and fairness in prison operations.
“We operate according to the guidelines provided, not based on political inclinations. Management and politics are very different,” Baine stated. He added that privileges, including access to food from outside prison, are not rights but can be granted under specific conditions.
“Any privilege allowed under these standing orders may be withdrawn by the officer in charge if there is proof of abuse,” he explained. Baine further noted that the officer in charge is authorized to adjust these privileges as necessary to maintain discipline.
Baine reassured the public that Uganda’s prisons are managed according to international standards. He emphasized that all prisoners, regardless of their status or background, are treated equally under the law.
“Whether it is Retired Colonel or someone else, we look at them as prisoners. That is why every prisoner gets a prison number and is managed accordingly, and we shall continue to do that,” he said.
Addressing allegations that the government intends to harm Dr. Besigye, Baine called the claims baseless.
“This is not the first time we have received and kept him. The first time he was with us was in 2005, and he has since been with us at least three more times. He has come in and gone out, and so it will be,” Baine stated.
He urged those spreading false information to stop creating alarm and warned that visitors who distort facts may lose visitation privileges.
“If your intention to visit is to distort facts, then there is no reason for you to be permitted to visit,” he noted.
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What. Useless and time wasting article? It was more of prison propaganda. It didn’t directly address whether Besigye was denied external food or not. What bogus paper. You wasted my time.
So, after helping, supporting, ensuring Museveni’s good health for years, this is how Dr Besigye & others opposing him will end?
Why are Ugandans still POWERLESS tribally divided ruled by Rwandese Museveni who has no tribal land in the zone & won’t be a danger once Ugandans UNITE under just ONE of them, to block him?
Why are Ugandans doing everything to ensure the zone fromed by their tribal lands belong to Rwandese Museveni & family?
Why is Uganda hell for Ugandans but paradise for migrants & Ugandans just ensure it remains so?
Why don’t Ugandans have a Common National Leader & why are tribal leaders still in posts payed for ensuring Ugandans are slaves & why are Ugandans going along with this?
Fellow Ugandans, Baine is siting all these laws as if Uganda is governed under rule of law! To begin with, Besigye is purely politically persecuted and has been ever since he challenged M7 in 2001. He is the most sought after opposition figure by M7.
Any layman anywhere in the world could easily tell that these militant charges don’t make sense, “Besigye and Lutale were allegedly found in possession of two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi—items classified as the monopoly of the Defence Forces. The prosecution contends that these activities pose a threat to Uganda’s national security.” Assuming that this is true, which is not, that they were found with pistols and eight rounds of ammunition at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, how could one tell that they were going to be used in Uganda not Nairobi or anywhere else in the world? Furthermore, how could two pistols found with them in Nairobi be “items classified as the monopoly of the Defence Forces.” Where is the evidence from the Kenyan authority that shows that they were found with two pistols in a hotel in Nairobi? Where does Uganda get the authority to arrest any person in Nairobi and then charge him/her in a militant court in Uganda? How does that make sense? Only in Uganda! However, it’s business as usual and our current leading opposition figure and largest opposition party in parliament are eagerly warming up for the next bogus elections!
It’s quite clear that Besigye’s life is in danger based on how Baine is fidgeting to explain the law! Obviously there’s no need to explain the law if at all Besigye was not denied access to food from outside the prison. Baine didn’t have to explain anything because Besigye is not supposed to be detained at all, in order to tell us that they, Baines’ duty is to keep them, not to kill them.”
Baine admitted that, “This is not the first time we have received and kept him. The first time he was with us was in 2005, and he has since been with us at least three more times. He has come in and gone out, and so it will be.” Pure political persecution and nothing else!
But, this kind of sadism being meted out year after year, on behalf our “Problem of Africa” Gen Tibuhaburwa on Dr. Besigye and superintended by the Baine of this country is dehumanizing: Not only on Dr. Besigye but more so on the sadist himself and those doing so on his behalf.
Morally, what bothers me is that: directly or indirectly, while this kind of sadism and suffering is being meted out on hundreds of thousands of innocent Ugandans; almost every month, our “Problem of Africa” ritually and/or sadistically organizes “Thanks Giving Prayer” in our State House, presided over by our Arch Bishops, Imams Khadis Sheiks, eccentric noisy Pastors, etc.
In other words, thanksgiving (God) for what? It is morally, ethically and socially appalling, for our Top Clerics/religious leaders to participate in a thanksgiving prayer organized by a diabolic sadist. And for Hell and Heaven’s our State House is not a Holy Place.
It has become a whitewashed Hellish dudgeon where all the evil, including “bearing false witness” against the Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Hon Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana, etc. of this country is crafted.
It is like the Devil inviting God to his Palace for a thanksgiving prayer, over successful perversion of His (God’s) people.
And at this rate of “Thanksgiving Prayers” in our State House; our clerics are failing the Devil’s 3 Temptations to Jesus (Matt 4:3-4) in the Wilderness:
Tempted Jesus to turn the stone into bread; to bow before him (Devil) and would be given some of the Kingdoms (Luxury cars and cash) and to fall from Temple’s Stipple and the Angel of the Lord would pick him mid-air before he hits the parking lot.
In other words, instead of the president and/or his family members going to the Sacred and Holy Temple/Church/Mosque in humility; the Bishops and Pastors would rather go to the corrupt and profaned State House, to humble themselves before a diabolic dictator and worship him and/or family members; some of whom
are pastors and have a “Home Born/Dead Again Church” where attendance is only by invite, of the sycophants, cronies, etc. where the sectarian and nepotistic congregation “in the name of Jesus” takes place.