Deputy Lord Mayor Emeritus and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) figure Doreen Nyanjura Omutatina has revealed that Dr Kizza Besigye is being taught to walk and speak again, nearly three months after he collapsed in court.
In a post on X on October 20, 2026, Nyanjura described her first visit to the opposition leader since the incident, saying she was heartbroken to find him undergoing speech therapy and struggling to pronounce simple words.
According to Nyanjura, a speech therapist was using a chart with words such as “dog” and “boy” to help Besigye regain his speech, although he had not yet managed to pronounce them. He communicates by tapping letters on an alphabetical chart, which visitors use to reconstruct his messages, and sometimes relies on sign language when tired.
Despite his difficulties speaking and walking, Nyanjura said Besigye hears well and remains mentally sharp. He reportedly does not fully remember what happened during the court incident but recalls waking up days later in the intensive care unit at Mulago Hospital.
She also described his physical challenges, saying his hands remain weak and shaky and he cannot hold a bottle of water without assistance. However, Besigye reportedly maintained an optimistic attitude, telling her that “it could have been worse” and encouraging supporters to “hang in there.”
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Nyanjura further quoted Besigye as saying that “just staying alive is an achievement” under the current regime. She also revealed that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is reportedly a neighbour at the same facility, although the two have not met.
The account is consistent with remarks by PFF Acting President Dr Lulume Bayiga, who recently said Besigye was conscious, could hear well and retained his ability to think, but was still unable to speak. Bayiga said he was receiving speech therapy and physiotherapy and was focused on securing bail to access further treatment before resuming his trial.
Three months since he collapsed, I finally had the opportunity to see and meet my leader, @kizzabesigye1! Before meeting him, I had imagined so many things about his appearance and current condition. It broke my heart to see that he is now being taught how to walk and talk again. A speech therapist was using a word chart with simple words like “dog” and “boy,” which KB is supposed to try his hardest to pronounce, though he hasn’t succeeded yet.
KB uses an alphabetical letter chart where he taps out letters for you to write down and piece together what he is saying. Sensing that I was shocked about his current state, he pointed that “it could have been worse.”
We both would laugh when he would check my notes and realize I had written something completely different from what he was spelling out! 🙈🙈 I tried to defend myself by saying that’s what he had tapped, and we would laugh again. When I ran out of excuses for my mistakes, I reminded him that my eyes aren’t fully functional, which is why I wear glasses. 🙈
KB is now also an expert of sign language, when he gets tired of using the chat, he uses signs 😳
He hears very well, but he not able to talk yet. I commended his sharp brain of being able to communicate by tapping letters of alphabet.
He doesn’t remember exactly what happened at court, he remembers waking up days later while in the ICU at Mulago.
As we conversed, I was drinking water, When I offered him a bottle as well, I was reminded that he cannot hold a bottle of water on his own. His hands aren’t firm, they are shaky and lack strength.
He stated that we are back in the 1890s but encouraged us to hang in there. He said that under the current regime, just staying alive is an achievement.
Salongo @EriasLukwago is his neighbor in the same facility, but they have never met. I informed him how Lukwago was taken to Mulago.
Seeing KB in state he is was incredibly painful, but his enduring spirit and sharp mind remind me why he is the leader he is. Please keep KB in your thoughts and prayers as he walks this long, difficult road to recovery. His resilience gives me hope that we will get through this dark chapter. Long live KB🙏🏻
#FreeKizzaBesigye
#freeallpoliticalprisoners— Nyanjura Doreen Omutatina (@DoreenNyanjura) October 20, 2026
