A dramatic scene unfolded in court on Wednesday after veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye reportedly collapsed during a hearing, forcing the suspension of court proceedings before he was rushed to hospital for emergency medical treatment.
The hearing had begun with the official appearance of state-appointed lawyers Julius Serwambala and Sarah Awere, who were assigned by the court to represent Dr. Kizza Besigye, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and Denis Oola.
However, moments into the proceedings before Justice Emmanuel Baguma, Besigye strongly objected to the appointment of the state lawyers, insisting that they had been imposed on him without his consent. He reportedly protested their representation and demanded that his position be respected.
As tensions rose inside the courtroom, Besigye suddenly collapsed, sending lawyers, court officials, supporters and security personnel into panic. Court proceedings were immediately suspended as prison warders and medical personnel rushed to his aid.
Images from the scene showed emergency responders carrying the former presidential candidate from the courtroom on a stretcher before placing him into an ambulance that transported him to hospital for urgent medical attention.
The shocking incident briefly brought all court activities to a standstill as judicial officers and those in attendance focused on the medical emergency.
Besigye’s collapse comes amid continued public interest in the legal case involving him and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and Denis Oola. The proceedings have attracted widespread attention due to their political significance and the questions surrounding legal representation.
By Wednesday evening, neither the court nor medical authorities had released an official statement explaining the cause of Besigye’s collapse or providing an update on his condition. Similarly, it remained unclear when the hearing would resume.
The incident has sparked concern among supporters and members of the public, many of whom have taken to social media to wish Besigye a speedy recovery while calling for transparency regarding his health and the continuation of the trial.
