During a hearing on Wednesday, July 30th, 2026, at the High Court in Kampala, veteran Ugandan opposition leader Fredrick Kizza Besigye repeatedly shouted "stop" regarding his legal representation before collapsing, witnesses said. His wife reported that before collapsing, Besigye cried out that he was being injured. Despite Besigye's sister, Dr. Olive Kobusingye, being present in court, she was not allowed to attend to him.

Besigye was transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital, Uganda's largest public hospital, where he is currently in the ICU wing guarded by heavily armed security officers. However, he is refusing treatment from government medical personnel, with his wife demanding that he be allowed to receive care from his personal physician at a private clinic. Byanyima stated, "He will not allow any government official to touch him."

Besigye, aged 70, has been in detention since November 2024 and faces treason charges, which he denies. His main lawyer, Erias Lukwago, is currently jailed after being seized by the army last month.

In an open letter shared on social media, Ampa, Besigye's son, wrote, "Regardless of politics, no son should have to witness his father reach such a state while standing before the very law he served and dedicated his life."

Opposition politician Bobi Wine, who fled Uganda fearing for his life after contesting the January presidential election, described Besigye's court appearance while clearly unwell as a "shocking violation of his most basic rights."

Besigye once served as President Museveni's personal doctor before breaking ranks in 1999.

Sources