Updated by HICGI News Agency at 1420 EAT on Thursday 20 August 2026

State witness and private security investigator Andrew Wilson has told the High Court that he used a covert camera concealed in a mobile power bank to secretly record meetings in which opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye allegedly discussed plans to acquire weapons and overthrow the Ugandan government.

Wilson said he recorded several meetings involving Besigye and Joel Wakayima, a Ugandan based in Switzerland. He was testifying for the second consecutive day in the treason case in which Besigye, Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola are accused of plotting to overthrow the government.

The case is being heard by Justice Emmanuel Baguma, with Besigye being tried in absentia.

Wilson told the court that Wakayima had approached him to facilitate the supply of weapons, including hand grenades, drones and surface-to-air missiles, to a group allegedly linked to Besigye. He also said Wakayima asked him to arrange paramilitary training for between 40 and 60 people.

According to Wilson, the proposed training was to take place in Kisumu, Kenya. However, concerns that Kisumu’s main airport was under surveillance prompted discussions about alternative routes for transporting the alleged weapons.

Wilson testified that Besigye suggested using an airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), claiming that he had contacts who could assist in receiving the consignment. The witness said Besigye also told him he had previously used the same airport to receive a similar consignment.

Wilson further told the court that after deciding to cooperate with Ugandan security agencies, he began giving Besigye and Wakayima excuses for his failure to deliver the alleged weapons.

The allegations have not been independently established in court, and the accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Wilson told the High Court that on November 28, 2023, he met Wakayima and opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye at a hotel in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to Wilson, Besigye suggested that they continue the meeting at his apartment. However, Wilson declined, saying he had already prepared his own apartment with recording equipment.

The meeting was subsequently held at Wilson’s apartment, where he said discussions centred on alleged plans to acquire weapons and attack Kampala.

Wilson testified that he asked Besigye whether he had the capacity to capture and control the city. Besigye allegedly responded that he would rely on senior military contacts.

The witness further told the court that the assassination of President Yoweri Museveni was discussed, with the alleged plotters considering the use of drone airstrikes.

Wilson said the group was concerned that directly linking the assassination to Besigye would damage his reputation. He alleged that they therefore discussed attributing the killing to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

He further testified that Besigye claimed to have previously spied on the President.

Wilson told the court that his associates were prepared to provide $5 million, approximately Shs18 billion, which would be deposited into a bank account in Dubai, with Besigye listed as a signatory.

The witness said he repeatedly proposed involving National Unity Platform (NUP) leader and former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine. However, according to Wilson, Besigye rejected the proposal.

Wilson further testified that another meeting was planned for June 2024 to finalise arrangements for the proposed paramilitary training in Kisumu, Kenya.

He said the discussions also involved plans to cause civil unrest, including allegedly using a drone to interfere with a commercial aircraft at Entebbe International Airport and subsequently using the media to blame the government.

According to Wilson, the broader plan was to create chaos that would trigger military intervention and ultimately lead to the overthrow of the government.

The witness also testified that the group discussed obtaining counterfeit $5,000 notes, said to be worth about Shs18.6 million, to facilitate the Kisumu operation and contribute to efforts to destabilise Uganda’s economy.

The allegations are part of the prosecution’s case. Besigye and his co-accused remain presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by the court.

-Observer

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