On Thursday, Dr Besigye was arraigned in court looking frail and appearing to struggle to breathe but he was still returned to Luzira Prison in that condition

The family of former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Dr Kizza Besigye, has spoken out in distress over his continued detention, warning that his health is deteriorating as he stages a hunger strike in protest.

In a statement read by his sister, Edith Byanyima, the family condemned what they described as illegal detention in defiance of court orders, equating it to state-sanctioned kidnapping.

They also raised fears about Besigye's well-being after receiving an unexpected request to send his personal doctor to assess him--something authorities had previously denied.

"This sudden change fills us with terror. It signals that his condition may have taken a turn for the worse. We are speaking out now because we fear the worst may be imminent," Edith Byanyima said.

The statement comes after officials suggested that Besigye was simply unwell, an assertion the family strongly disputes.

They maintain that his ongoing hunger strike is a desperate act against unlawful detention, not a case of illness.

"Each day of his illegal detention brings fresh anguish to our family. We are not politicians seeking power or influence. We are simply a family scared and desperate for his safety," the statement read.

Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and veteran opposition leader, has had a long history of confrontations with the government.

He has been arrested multiple times over the years on charges ranging from inciting violence to treason.

His current detention stems from his continued activism against economic hardships, governance issues, and human rights violations in Uganda.

He was arrested in late January 2025 after he attempted to mobilize protests against what he called "state-engineered economic oppression."

A court ruling ordered his immediate release, but security forces have continued to hold him in what legal experts and opposition figures describe as contempt of court.

Besigye has since embarked on a hunger strike, refusing food as a form of protest against what he calls "state brutality and judicial impunity."