Luzira Maximum Security Prison is at the center of a heated political storm as a parliamentary report unveils the harsh conditions under which former opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is being held.
The four-time presidential candidate has reportedly resorted to cooking his own meals out of fear of being poisoned and remains in strict solitary confinement, raising serious human rights concerns.
The revelations came from Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, whose chairperson, Fox Odoi, presented a detailed report on their visit to Luzira, where Besigye is detained on charges of treachery and illegal possession of firearms.
The report paints a picture of a man living in constant fear, with tight restrictions limiting his interaction with other inmates and access to religious services.
Surprisingly, Dr. Besigye told the committee that he feels “safer in Luzira Prison compared to other detention facilities,” citing professionalism among prison authorities. However, his safety concerns remain high, as he reportedly fears being targeted.
“Dr. Kizza Besigye informed the committee that he refused to eat prison food because of fears of being poisoned. He relies on three authorized suppliers for his meals and prepares his own food,” revealed Odoi.
His co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, is under a similar arrangement, with three designated suppliers delivering his meals for security reasons. Meanwhile, the general prison population receives standard meals from Uganda Prisons Service.
Despite acknowledging some improvements in prison conditions such as better sanitation, running water, and computerized systems, Besigye remains deeply unsettled by what he calls a “prison within a prison.”
“He is detained in a highly restricted section, requiring passage through five gates to reach his cell. He is held alone in a room with a toilet and shower, in the North Wing, which accommodates only 18 prisoners,” Odoi disclosed.
But perhaps most alarming are his reports of mysterious night-time activities near his cell.
“Dr. Besigye informed the Committee of an incident where, past midnight, two out of the four doors to his cell were opened. He panicked and shouted loudly, causing those responsible to retreat. When he demanded an explanation, he was given three different responses, one claiming forgotten items, another saying an unlocked padlock, and a third citing a routine inspection,” Odoi narrated.
Besigye reportedly fears such incidents could be an attempt to poison or harm him while he is isolated.
The report further reveals Besigye’s complaints about being denied religious rights and social interaction.
“Dr. Besigye lamented that he is not allowed to interact with fellow inmates, and the rules applied to him are more restrictive than those applied to other prisoners. He is not allowed to attend prayers with other inmates in the prayer houses within the prison,” Odoi added.
Meanwhile, a section of lawmakers including Jonathan Odur (Erute South), Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), and Flavia Nabagabe (Kassanda DWR) raised the alarm in a minority report, over what they called “a deliberate attempt to break Besigye.”
“Dr. Besigye is clearly in danger. How do you explain midnight door openings, solitary confinement, and denying him prayers? Parliament must take this seriously before something terrible happens!” Zaake warned.
Odur, in the minority report, mentioned that prolonged solitary confinement could have damaging effects on mental health and violates human rights.
“The Uganda Human Rights Commission, in its written submission to the Committee, notes that solitary confinement, when used excessively or under harsh conditions, can be considered a violation of human rights due to its detrimental effects on mental health and well-being,” Odur stated.
