Most Considerate & Kind Person In The 1st Family! How Gen Salim Saleh Rescued Dying Besigye From Prison Crisis After Muhoozi’s Tweet

Retired General Salim Saleh, the younger brother of President Yoweri Museveni, has stepped in to help opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye after concerns about his deteriorating health while in detention. Saleh reportedly visited Besigye in August following a request from Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to intervene in the matter.

Besigye has been in custody since November 2024, when he was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought to Uganda to face treason charges. His continued detention has attracted public attention, particularly following concerns about his health and calls for authorities to ensure he receives appropriate medical care.

The opposition leader’s health situation became more worrying after he collapsed during a court appearance, prompting his transfer from prison to the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Lubowa for medical attention. The move was reportedly facilitated by Gen Saleh, who wanted Besigye to receive the same level of care he would expect for himself under similar circumstances.

Speaking to parliamentary committee chairpersons, Saleh explained that he had been given the responsibility of addressing Besigye’s situation after Gen Muhoozi asked him to step in. He said the intervention also gave him an opportunity to reconnect with someone he had known during their earlier political and military struggles.

Saleh reportedly said he wanted Besigye to stabilise medically before engaging him in discussions about their differences. He emphasised that his immediate concern was ensuring the opposition leader received proper treatment rather than beginning political negotiations while he was unwell.

The retired general expressed optimism that their discussions could produce a positive outcome within three to six months. He said the two sides were working towards understanding one another and developing a shared outlook for Uganda's future.

Beyond Besigye’s medical situation, Saleh used the engagement to call for unity among Ugandans regardless of their political affiliations. Drawing on their shared history as former comrades, he argued that people who once worked together should find ways of resolving their differences instead of allowing political disagreements to divide the country.

Although Saleh’s intervention has renewed attention on efforts to reconcile the government and opposition, it remains unclear whether the engagement will lead to Besigye’s release or affect his ongoing treason case. For now, the focus remains on his health, the discussions with Saleh and whether their renewed contact can produce a lasting understanding.