A prosecution witness in the treason trial of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has told the High Court in Kampala that discussions allegedly took place about shifting blame to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) after a planned attack on President Yoweri Museveni.
Andrew Wilson Orlando, a British-American private security investigator who testified for the prosecution, claimed that Besigye and his associates discussed how responsibility for an alleged assassination attempt would be handled if it happened.
Orlando told court that he had gained access to the group by pretending to be a foreign financier offering millions of dollars, weapons and military training.
According to his testimony, he used covert recording equipment during meetings with Besigye and Joel Wakayima as part of what he described as an undercover operation.
The witness claimed that during one of the meetings, discussions focused on a possible drone attack against President Museveni and the consequences of taking responsibility for such an action.
Orlando alleged that Besigye was concerned that openly claiming responsibility for the assassination of a sitting president would damage the group’s public support.
“Besigye reasoned that taking credit would make them unpopular for assassinating a legitimate president,” Orlando testified.
He further claimed that the discussions considered blaming the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group operating in the region, instead of the alleged planners taking responsibility themselves.
According to Orlando, the aim of such a move would have been to avoid public anger and protect the political image of those allegedly involved.
The witness told court that the discussions formed part of a wider alleged plan involving weapons, military training and attempts to challenge the government through force.
He said he had presented himself as someone capable of providing financial support and military resources, including hand grenades, drones and training assistance.
Orlando claimed that he offered to provide $5 million for the alleged operation, although he later told court that the money and the people behind the offer were fictional.
He said his role was to gather information and record conversations after being linked with Ugandan security agencies.
The witness also testified about alleged meetings held outside Uganda, including encounters in Geneva and Athens, where he said discussions about the alleged plans took place.
The prosecution has relied on Orlando’s testimony alongside other evidence, including alleged recordings and communication records, in presenting its case against Besigye and his co-accused.
However, the allegations presented in court remain claims from the prosecution side and have not been proven by a court judgment.
Besigye, a retired army colonel and longtime opposition politician, has denied accusations that he planned to overthrow the government through violent means.
His lawyers have maintained that the charges are politically motivated and have challenged the prosecution’s evidence.
The court is continuing to hear testimony as both sides present their arguments in the case.
The trial has attracted national attention because of the seriousness of the allegations, which include claims of treason and an alleged plot against the government.
As proceedings continue, the court will determine the weight and credibility of the evidence presented by the prosecution and the defence.
The case remains ongoing, and no final ruling has been made on the allegations against Besigye and his co-accused.
