Africa-Press – Uganda. The Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has said President Museveni requested an investigation into the intentions behind a planned prayer Mass for detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye before it could take place.
The Holy Mass, which had been scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Monday at St Mary’s Cathedral Lubaga, was organised to pray for Besigye, other political prisoners and the sick.
However, family members, friends and political leaders who had gathered at the cathedral were informed shortly before the start time that the service had been postponed.
Addressing journalists outside the cathedral, Byanyima — who is also Besigye’s spouse — said she had been contacted by Paul Ssemogerere regarding the development.
“I was called yesterday by the Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere, who told me he had received instructions from President Museveni to cancel the Mass, saying he had received information that the Mass is politically motivated,” Byanyima said.
According to Byanyima, the Archbishop explained to the President that praying for prisoners is a long-standing Catholic tradition.
She said the President responded by asking for a few days to establish whether the planned gathering had political undertones before making a final decision, prompting the postponement.
Byanyima said she later reached out to Museveni directly to assure him that the event was purely spiritual.
“I called President Museveni and requested to talk to him and give him the assurances he needs that this was indeed a prayer gathering,” she said.
She added that the President initially sent her a message indicating he would call the following morning. However, she later received communication from his office informing her that the call would instead take place on Wednesday.
“I will be waiting for that call from President Museveni, and I will assure him that even if he believes Besigye is guilty, he is still innocent until proven guilty. Even if he is proven guilty, he is still a human being deserving of love and care,” Byanyima said.
She maintained that the purpose of the Mass was to “ease the pain on all political prisoners, including my husband, and bring them before the Lord.”
Besigye, a former personal physician to Museveni and one of his most prominent political challengers, has unsuccessfully contested the presidency four times.
He has been in detention for over a year without trial following his arrest in Nairobi in November 2024. Authorities have indicated that he faces treason-related charges.
The postponement drew concern from supporters and political figures across party lines who had assembled at the cathedral in anticipation of the service.
By press time, Church authorities had not issued an official statement detailing the reasons for the postponement.
