The judicial officer presiding over the case, Magistrate Rophine Achayo, granted each of the eight doctors cash bail of UGX 200,000, while their sureties were each ordered to execute a non-cash bond of UGX 3 million.

The spokesperson said the new arrangement breaks with previous practice, under which government catered for these necessities and paid monthly internship allowances. She added that it also undermines the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which provided for enhanced allowances and better welfare for health workers.

“We have information that Besigye might be admitted to Mbuya Military Hospital. But why did they transfer him there, because he needs to continue with his specialized medication in Mulago? If he is not treated in Mulago, where else can he be treated? Maybe abroad, but not in any facility in Uganda apart from Mulago,” Turinawe noted.

However, the party reporting on Besigye’s health is contrary to that of his wife, Winnie Byanyima who has maintained that her husband is slowly responding to the treatment.

“My hope today is simple: that he recovers, gains strength and receives the care that every Ugandan deserves. Besigye is entitled to the rights guaranteed by the Ugandan constitution. He has a right to life and proper medical care. These are not privileges, but they are rights for every Ugandan,” Byanyima said.

Museveni said Uganda is increasingly prioritising disease prevention over treatment through immunisation, improved nutrition, safe water, sanitation and community health programmes. He also highlighted the country's investment in traditional medicine research, calling for partnerships to commercialise locally developed medicines.

To strengthen the regional response, Museveni proposed establishing Ebola treatment centres inside eastern DRC in partnership with the Congolese government.