My heart broke': Besigye's son pleads with Museveni to free father after court collapse

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has alleged that he received death threats during the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after refusing to support the motion despite being offered KSh. 10 million.

Speaking on Citizen DayBreak, Maanzo claimed he was approached with the cash offer on condition that he vote in favor of the impeachment.

He further alleged that accepting the money and either failing to vote or voting against the motion would have put his life at risk.

“I was approached and offered KSh. 10 million, but I was given conditions: ‘If you take this money, you must vote yes. If you take it and run away, you won’t get to your house. If you take it and vote no, you still won’t get to your house.’ Therefore, I said I was going to vote no,” Maanzo said.

The senator's remarks have sparked fresh debate over the integrity of the impeachment process.

Prominent Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye's son has made an emotional appeal to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, urging them to release his father following his collapse during a court session in Kampala.

In a public statement, Adam Ampa Besigye said watching his father collapse in court had left him heartbroken.

"Today, my heart broke as I watched my father Kizza Besigye collapse in court. Regardless of politics, no son should have to witness his father reach such a state while standing before the very law he served and dedicating his life," he said.

Adam said he was making the appeal as a son rather than a politician, calling for what he described as mercy, compassion and humanity.

"I write to you not as a politician, but as a son," he said.

He asked President Museveni and Gen. Muhoozi to allow Besigye to regain his freedom, saying his family believes the veteran opposition leader is innocent of the allegations against him.

"My family firmly believes he is innocent of the allegations against him and has never sought to harm you or your family," Adam said.

He added that his father had always pursued political change through his convictions, even when those beliefs placed him in opposition to the government.

Adam expressed concern over his father's deteriorating health, warning that Uganda risked losing one of its best-known political figures.

"My father's health continues to deteriorate. Uganda risks losing not only one of its most recognised political figures but also an opportunity to demonstrate that justice is stronger than political rivalry," he said.

He urged the two leaders to consider Besigye's age, declining health and humanitarian concerns surrounding his continued detention.

"I respectfully ask that you consider his age, his declining health, and the humanitarian concerns surrounding his continued detention. Please allow him access to appropriate medical care and every protection afforded under the law," he said.

He also appealed for his father's release so he could reunite with his family.

"Above all, I ask that you consider releasing him so he may return to his family and beloved ones," he said.

Adam concluded his appeal by expressing hope for reconciliation rather than bitterness.

"As his son, I do not wish to inherit bitterness. I wish to see reconciliation," he said.

The appeal came after Besigye collapsed during a court appearance in Kampala on Wednesday and was admitted to the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital.

His wife, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed that the 70-year-old was unconscious and in critical condition.

"He is unconscious, unable to speak, and unresponsive even to a pain stimulus," she said in a post on X.

Besigye was rushed from court in an ambulance while facing treason charges.

The veteran opposition leader has been in detention since November 2024 after he and his aide, Obeid Lutale, were arrested in Kenya before being returned to Uganda, where they were later charged with treason.

His lawyers, supporters and human rights campaigners have rejected the charges as politically motivated and argue that his continued detention forms part of a broader crackdown on government critics.

Besigye, a doctor, former military officer and one-time ally of Museveni, later became one of the president's most prominent political challengers.

He previously served as Museveni's physician and held several senior government and military positions before falling out with the ruling establishment.

His detention has drawn concern from the Commonwealth and several human rights organisations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, which have called for his immediate release.