Dusman Okee, spokesperson for Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Gen. Salim Saleh, has revealed that the senior presidential adviser is concerned about the health of detained former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Rtd Col. Dr Kizza Besigye, despite their political differences.

Okee clarified reports that Saleh had directed a committee to negotiate Besigye’s release from prison, explaining that the group involved is not an official negotiation committee but a think tank examining possible approaches to Besigye’s case and other related matters.

The clarification follows a report published by The Weekend Vision in its October 10–11, 2026 edition, which indicated that a committee had been established to negotiate Besigye’s release. Okee explained that Saleh’s main concern was Besigye’s health, given their longstanding relationship dating back to Uganda’s bush war.

According to Okee, the two men share a strong bond forged through years of struggle and sacrifice. He recalled that Besigye, a medical doctor, is believed to have saved Saleh’s life after the general was seriously wounded during fighting at Bukalabi in Luwero in 1983.

Okee stressed that the political disagreements between the former comrades had not erased their shared history. He noted that their experiences during the struggle that brought the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to power remain an important part of their relationship, despite their different political positions.

He also revealed that scholar Abuba Senjongoji had written a paper titled The Man Who Treated My Wounds for strategic discussion. The paper explores whether the history shared by former comrades who later become political opponents can create opportunities for reconciliation without undermining the law.

Okee further highlighted the emotional connection between Saleh and Besigye, pointing to a song that reminds them of their shared experiences and sacrifices during the bush war. He explained that their history continues to connect them despite the political differences that have emerged over the years.

The spokesperson’s remarks have shed light on Saleh’s reported concern about Besigye’s situation, emphasising that the bond between the two men extends beyond politics. While Okee clarified that the group is a think tank rather than an official negotiation committee, his comments highlight the lasting ties between the former comrades and the concern surrounding Besigye’s health.