Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) has spoken out on allegations that it had accepted to be used to end the life of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye. This as days ago, first son Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba hinted on a Besigye hanging date via his now disappeared account on X, formerly Twitter.
Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine says that allegations have been swirling around that Besigye had been given an ultimatum to eat prison food or starve to death.
He recalled that it had also been alleged by the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF)group visiting Besigye in prison that the opposition politician was already on hunger strike.
There were also claims that Besigye was isolated, with most of his visitors only allowed to interact with him via a prison phone.
Read more on the allegations Here.
Baine says that he and other Uganda Prisons officials find the claims outrageous.
Noting that the work of UPS was to keep and not to kill, except when they get directives from court based on rulings which must also be endorsed by the president, currently Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
“Yes, we hang but we hang those who have been declared by court,” said Baine.
“We don’t simply kill: we hang those court has decided [should be hanged] and the president has endorsed [to be hanged].”
The trials and tribulations of Dr Besigye are getting worse at a time after the death of Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Ssegirinya had been arrested on questionable charges kept in prison for long and denied bail even when his health condition required specialized treatment outside prison walls.
Some people, like National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, have faulted the justice system, and in particular people like chief justice Alfonse Owiny Dollo-led courts of law for having had a hand in Ssegirinya’s death.
But some in Museveni’s Government have simply said the MP’s death was a decision made by God. (See Details Here and There).
Baine was aware of the insinuation that Besigye would suffer what the state is accused of doing to Ssegirinya. He said Besigye will be treated like anyother of the 80,000 inmates.
“In accordance with the Prisons Act of 2006, Section 68 and 69, together with the Prisons Standing Orders of 2017, chapter 28, section 6, Dr Besigye like all other inmates is managed and treated as mandated by the law,” Baine said.
Winnie Byanyima responds to Frank Baine on Besigye prison condition
In response, Byanyima wondered if Baine was “just a uniformed man venting,” and described his words as revealing “the unprofessional, arbitrary, and cruel treatment [Dr Kizza Besigye] is enduring.”
She added that they need “a clear, factual statement on the rights, safety and well-being of [Dr Kizza Besigye], who is in their custody at Luzira Prison.”
Meanwhile, before he disappeared off social media, Gen Muhoozi changed the Besigye hanging date. Winnie Byanyima has revealed what she will do if Muhoozi and his father Museveni decide to hang her husband Besigye.(See Details Here and There).
DPP Speaks on Calls of Taking Over Besigye Case from Museveni Military Court
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