𝐊𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐚 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐲𝐞’𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐱-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥

Ariho Besigye. Photo Courtesy of The Kenya Times

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s family is mourning the death of his six-year-old grandson, Righteous Ariho Besigye, who diedwhile receiving treatment at Mulago Hospital in Kampala.

Ariho, popularly known as Rai, died in the early hours of Thursday, September 24, 2026, while in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to his father, Adam Ampa Besigye.

Adam, who is Kizza Besigye’s eldest son, announced the death in a tribute to his firstborn child, describing the loss as one of the most painful moments of his life.

“It is with profound pain and a heavy heart I’ve never imagined I would ever carry that I announce the loss of my beloved and only firstborn son, Righteous Ariho (Rai). Rai, the only grandson of my father, Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, fell asleep in the early hours of Thursday at the ICU of Mulago Hospital.

Adam did not disclose the illness his son had been receiving treatment for or how long he had been admitted to the hospital.

According to his father, Ariho was born in March 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adam described his son’s birth as a major turning point in his life, saying Rai gave him the opportunity to become a father.

“My Rai, you came into this world during the tough times of the COVID-19 pandemic and gave me the greatest gift of my life. The opportunity to become your father. An eternal gift from God.”

Adam also described his son as a warrior who fought until the end, before expressing his hope that the child was now resting peacefully.

“You fought until the end, my warrior. You now rest peacefully in the arms of the King of Peace, Jesus Christ.”

He also quoted Psalm 34:18, a Bible verse that speaks about God being close to those who are brokenhearted, as he mourned his son.Ariho’s death has left the Besigye family grieving at a time when his grandfather remains in custody over treason charges.