Kizza Besigye wife calls Uganda trial a 'farce'

Winnie Byanyima, wife of jailed Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, called the second day of his treason trial a "farce" on Wednesday, saying he was too ill in prison to appear in court.

Besigye, 70, is in custody on treason charges over an alleged plot against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. Byanyima, executive director of Geneva-based UNAIDS, condemned the continuation of the trial while Besigye was absent.

"This is not a trial, it's a farce, because Kizza Besigye has not refused to come to the dock," Byanyima told AFP. "He's bedridden, he's seriously ill, he cannot talk."

Besigye was recently admitted to intensive care after collapsing, then returned to prison earlier this month against medical advice. Byanyima had appealed to authorities earlier this month to grant him bail so he could receive medical treatment.

The case was previously before a military tribunal before being transferred to a civilian court. Byanyima said Besigye had been offered the option of appearing by video, accusing authorities of trying to "turn his hospital bed into a dock."

Reporters were banned from using phones inside the courtroom on Tuesday. The trial comes after months of international condemnation, and some of Besigye's lawyers have also been jailed.