The Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), Winnie Byanyima, has asked her husband, Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, the four-time presidential candidate, to quit active politics ahead of the 2026 elections.
A reliable family source confirmed the recent development, saying Byanyima has told her husband to reconsider his involvement in politics against his fast-deteriorating health.
Her demand stemmed from Besigye’s recent formation of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), a new political party in Uganda, having fallen out with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), a party he started in his early youthful years of politics.
To ensure that Dr. Besigye yields to her demand, Byanyima is systematically pushing it through Dr. Olive Kobusingye, Besigye’s younger sister.
“Winnie contacted her sister-in-law and had a long heart-to-heart conversation concerning her husband’s stay in politics, citing his deteriorating health, advanced age, and current changes in the political trends in Uganda that do not align with his beliefs anymore,” said the source.
According to a source who recently attended a high-level family meeting held at Besigye’s home, Byanyima enthusiastically begged Kobusingye, other family members, and close friends to pump deep sense into Dr. Besigye to quit politics and instead concentrate on his worrying health.
Byanyima also questioned why Dr. Besigye has refused to quit politics ever since he had been strongly advised by his doctors in Geneva, Switzerland, in early February 2023.
“Byanyima said that she wants him to take the time to heal and reflect on what truly matters. Politics can be draining, and she believes stepping back could be beneficial for him,” said the family source.
Political pundits in Kampala believe that it may be difficult for the former NRA fighter to quit politics due to his endless ego.
