Key Takeaways:

• Kizza Besigye, long-time opposition leader in Uganda, has been hospitalized due to deteriorating health from a hunger strike.
• Besigye's case will now be tried in civilian courts instead of military tribunals following public outcry and a Supreme Court ruling.
• Many Ugandans have demanded his release and proper medical treatment amidst ongoing concerns over human rights abuses in Uganda.

Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was transferred to a medical facility due to health complications arising from a hunger strike he began a week ago. Besigye, who has been in detention since his abduction from Kenya on November 16, reportedly appeared frail and critically ill during a recent court appearance, triggering growing concern among his supporters and human rights advocates. His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, expressed alarm over Besigye's condition, noting episodes of hypertension and other health issues due to his prolonged hunger strike, an act of protest against what he denotes as illegal detention.

In a recent announcement, Uganda's Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi confirmed the government's decision to transfer Besigye's case from military court to civilian jurisdiction, following increased public outrage and the Supreme Court's ruling declaring military trials for civilians unconstitutional. Baryomunsi visited Besigye in prison, urging him to cease his hunger strike, a plea that Besigye's wife, Winnie Byanyima, described as suspicious, claiming the minister is part of the political system oppressing her husband. "You are not a concerned visitor. You are his captor," she stated on social media.

Besigye faces several charges, including illegal possession of firearms and threatening national security, which carries severe penalties under military law. The shift to trial in civilian courts is a significant development for Besigye, who has previously been subjected to multiple arrests and alleged abuses in political detentions. This new directive comes amid debates over President Museveni's long-standing rule and human rights violations in Uganda, drawing attention from global rights organizations like Amnesty International, which decries Besigye's treatment as a violation of international law.

As political tensions escalate in Uganda, the public and various activists continue to call for Besigye's release, underscoring the growing discontent with the current political landscape. The Uganda government has faced multiple accusations regarding its treatment of political opponents, raising serious questions about due process and fair trials under its governance. For additional insights and details, read the reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.