An American witness, Andrew Wilson, has told court that Joel Wakayima allegedly proposed carrying out an attack using a hand grenade at Café Javas on Acacia Avenue in Kampala because government officials were believed to frequently visit the premises.
Wilson, a US citizen from Arizona, made the claims while testifying in the ongoing case involving opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused persons.
During his testimony, Wilson told court that Wakayima allegedly discussed a plan involving the use of a grenade at the popular Kampala restaurant, which he claimed was viewed as a place where some government officials often gathered.
The witness claimed that the alleged proposal was part of wider discussions involving activities that he said were aimed at challenging the Ugandan government.
Wilson told court that he first came into contact with Wakayima through Facebook before their communication allegedly developed into face-to-face meetings.
According to the witness, their discussions later moved beyond online conversations, with Wakayima allegedly expressing interest in acquiring military-related skills and knowledge.
Wilson claimed that the discussions included requests for training in areas such as the use of explosives, drones, aircraft and other specialised military skills.
The American witness further told court that he later interacted with other individuals whom he linked to the alleged plans, including opposition figures and people he said were interested in military training.
Wilson also testified that he communicated with opposition figure Salaam Musumba through a Zoom meeting after his alleged discussions with Wakayima.
He claimed that during the virtual conversation, Musumba allegedly mentioned Ugandans who wanted to gain military skills and referred to individuals including former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
The witness further alleged that he was later connected to a person identified as Gen Otto, who was reportedly in Somalia at the time.
Wilson told court that Gen Otto allegedly confirmed discussions concerning the proposed arrangements and the acquisition of military knowledge.
He also claimed that he later met Dr Kizza Besigye, where he said conversations about obtaining military equipment, including drones, took place.
According to Wilson, he used a hidden camera placed inside a mobile power bank to secretly record some of the meetings and conversations he had with individuals connected to the case.
The witness told court that the recordings captured discussions he described as involving plans to obtain weapons and overthrow the Ugandan government.
Wilson’s testimony is part of the evidence being presented by the prosecution as it seeks to prove allegations against Besigye and his co-accused persons.
The claims presented in court have attracted public attention because of the serious nature of the allegations, including accusations involving explosives and military activities.
The defence team is expected to challenge Wilson’s testimony and question the reliability, circumstances and interpretation of the evidence he has presented before court.
Besigye and his co-accused persons have denied the allegations and maintained that they are innocent of the charges against them.
The court will continue examining the evidence from both sides as the trial progresses before reaching a final decision on the matter.
