Concerned residents and local leaders in Rukungiri District are appealing to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene in the year-long detention of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, as he concludes his Kigezi sub-region campaign trail on Wednesday, 26th, November, 2025.
The appeals come amid growing questions about why Dr. Besigye remains on remand amid concerns over his health condition while being held at Luzira Prison.
While speaking to his supporters in Rukungiri on 25th November, 2025, Richard Akanyijuka Beyogyera, an aspirant for Rukungiri Municipality MP, said residents are anxious for answers.
He noted that many believe the prolonged detention requires the President’s direct intervention.
“People here are worried, and they want the Head of State to clarify why Dr. Besigye is still being held,” Akanyijuka stated.
Other community members linked the matter to longstanding challenges in the district’s healthcare system.
Fenecasi Mwebembezi a resident in Rukungiri, highlighted ongoing shortages of medicines and limited access to health facilities, urging that these issues be prioritized during the President’s visit.
Local leaders also expressed intentions to petition the President regarding Besigye’s release.
Western Division Speaker Mathias Kamusiime and youth leader Anitah Atukunda described the veteran opposition leader as a ‘symbolic voice’ in Rukungiri, whose absence is keenly felt by the community.
“His detention has left a void here. People want to see fairness and clarity,” Atukunda noted.
However, district authorities cautioned residents against turning the rally into a protest.
The Deputy RDC Wilberforce Ahimbisibwe Ongom emphasized maintaining order and reminded the public that any demonstrations must follow established procedures.
“We welcome concerns, but they must be raised lawfully and peacefully,” he said.
President Museveni is scheduled to address supporters in Rukungiri Town, marking the final leg of his campaign tour in the Kigezi region.
As President Museveni arrives in Rukungiri, the community’s appeals reflect a rising demand for accountability, empathy, and tangible action.
His visit comes at a time of heightened expectations, with residents seeking answers on both political and social concerns, from Dr. Besigye’s continued detention to persistent gaps in the district’s healthcare services.
Whether the President addresses these concerns directly remains to be seen, but for many in Rukungiri, his response could signal how government intends to handle both political tensions and service delivery challenges moving forward.
