Doctors across Uganda have asked officials to free Mr. Ssekitoleko Yasin from Luzira Prison right away. The Uganda Medical Association says his health has crashed badly because he stayed locked up for years and refused to eat. People often call him Machete. His condition keeps getting worse as each day passes without proper medical help.
The medical group released a statement last weekend saying they worry deeply about how sick Mr. Ssekitoleko has become. They described his situation as critical and scary. Doctors checked on him on March 6, 2025, and found he could hardly walk without help. They noticed he lost lots of weight and faced many health problems at once.
Mr. Ssekitoleko has two children and belongs to the National Unity Platform party. He has lived behind bars at Luzira Prison for over four years without any trial since police grabbed him after the 2021 election. He stopped eating food about 175 days ago as a protest. He believes the government made up fake charges against him just because of his political friends.
The doctors who examined him say his body shows clear signs of breaking down from not eating for months. He looks dried out, his muscles barely work, and he struggles to talk clearly. Prison staff reportedly blocked him from seeing independent doctors who wanted to check how bad things really were. They also stopped him from receiving the medical care he needed most.
The Uganda Medical Association warned everyone that going without food for this long hurts body organs forever. His brain, kidneys, and heart might fail. Medical experts around the world recognize hunger strikes as peaceful protests. Uganda doctors must follow international rules when they treat prisoners who refuse food.
The medical group pointed out that Ugandan laws protect people like Mr. Ssekitoleko. The Constitution says citizens can protest peacefully under Article 29. Article 39 promises healthcare for everyone. By keeping him locked up without proper medical attention, officials break both Ugandan and world laws that protect human rights.
The doctors emphasized that Article 22 guarantees every person has the right to stay alive. When the government refuses to give Mr. Ssekitoleko medical care, they basically torture him mentally. The Uganda Medical Association asked the government, prison leaders, and human rights groups to step up fast before something terrible happens that cannot be fixed.
The medical group released a statement last weekend saying they worry deeply about how sick Mr. Ssekitoleko has become. They described his situation as critical and scary. Doctors checked on him on March 6, 2025, and found he could hardly walk without help. They noticed he lost lots of weight and faced many health problems at once.
Mr. Ssekitoleko has two children and belongs to the National Unity Platform party. He has lived behind bars at Luzira Prison for over four years without any trial since police grabbed him after the 2021 election. He stopped eating food about 175 days ago as a protest. He believes the government made up fake charges against him just because of his political friends.
The doctors who examined him say his body shows clear signs of breaking down from not eating for months. He looks dried out, his muscles barely work, and he struggles to talk clearly. Prison staff reportedly blocked him from seeing independent doctors who wanted to check how bad things really were. They also stopped him from receiving the medical care he needed most.
The Uganda Medical Association warned everyone that going without food for this long hurts body organs forever. His brain, kidneys, and heart might fail. Medical experts around the world recognize hunger strikes as peaceful protests. Uganda doctors must follow international rules when they treat prisoners who refuse food.
The medical group pointed out that Ugandan laws protect people like Mr. Ssekitoleko. The Constitution says citizens can protest peacefully under Article 29. Article 39 promises healthcare for everyone. By keeping him locked up without proper medical attention, officials break both Ugandan and world laws that protect human rights.
The doctors emphasized that Article 22 guarantees every person has the right to stay alive. When the government refuses to give Mr. Ssekitoleko medical care, they basically torture him mentally. The Uganda Medical Association asked the government, prison leaders, and human rights groups to step up fast before something terrible happens that cannot be fixed.
